Margate’s B class and D class RNLI lifeboats were launched around 4.30pm today (Friday 16 August) following reports of a potential missing swimmer off Westbrook Bay.
It was thought the person had entered the water earlier in the day and had not returned to their belongings on shore.
Margate and Herne Bay Coastguard Rescue Teams, along with the coastguard rescue helicopter from Lydd Airport, were also tasked to take part in the search which covered the shoreline between Westbrook and North Foreland and an inshore waters search by the two lifeboats between Westbrook and Foreness Bay and up to 2km offshore.
Around an hour into the search the casualty was located ashore by RNLI lifeguards at Westbrook Bay and after coastguard officers confirmed that the person was safe and well the rescue units were stood down and returned to station.
Christian Wright, Launching Authority, Margate RNLI said: “The alarm was raised by a member of the public who saw the person enter the water earlier in the day and observed their belongings were still on the shore some hours later.
“A major search was launched by the coastguard and we thank the first informant for raising the alarm, fortunately the story had a happy ending and we remind everyone that if they see anything that doesn’t seem right ashore or at sea dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”