A large scale search was carried out across Margate’s coastline last night (October 11) after a report of a possible sighting of a person in the sea.
HM Coastguard Margate and HM Coastguard Herne Bay Coastguard teams, both RNLI Margate Lifeboats, HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R163 and Kent Police searched the area at the Nayland end of Margate beach for around two hours but no person in distress was found and it is thought to have been a mistaken – but good faith- report.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was contacted at 10pm following a report of a possible person in the sea near Margate seafront.
“Officers assisted HM Coastguard and the RNLI in carrying out a search of the area and no one was located.”
Christian Wright, Deputy Launching Authority, Margate RNLI said: “The search area was relatively small and able to be covered with a good search quality.
“It is always concerning when there is no conclusion but we would rather attend a false alarm than consider being such with the wrong result. In coastal emergencies dial 999 and ask for Coastguard.”