Early morning launch for Whitstable Lifeboat

Whitstable lifeboat was launched at 4.41am on Monday to assist an 8-metre catamaran with engine problems and drifting on to a mud bank in the Swale off Harty.

In very shallow water a tow was attached and the casualty craft with one occupant onboard towed into deeper water before being placed on a mooring on the south side of the Swale off Harty Ferry.

The vessel’s owner remained on board with the intention of returning to Conyer Creek later in the day and the lifeboat returned to station.

The casualty vessel was the same craft that was offered, but declined, assistance from the lifeboat crew when aground on Fowley Spit in The Swale on Sunday morning.