Major search off Thanet coast for possible missing kite surfer
An intensive search was carried out last night after a kite surfing rig was spotted adrift off the north east Kent coast.
UK Coastguard received several calls from members of the public around 7pm last night (Saturday 27 July) reporting a kite surfing rig drifting seawards off Botany Bay around two miles east of Margate. There were no indications of anyone being with or close to the rig.
Both the inshore and all-weather RNLI lifeboats from Margate were tasked to investigate along with the coastguard rescue helicopter from Lydd Airport and Margate coastguard’s Coast Rescue Team.
An intensive air, sea and shoreline search was carried out between North Foreland to the east and Westgate-on-Sea to the west up to two miles offshore allowing for the influence of wind and tide.
After around three hours, and with no further information as to the origins of the rig forthcoming, UK Coastguard terminated the search and all units were released to return to station. The kite surfing rig was recovered by Margate’s all-weather lifeboat.
ENDS
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Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 [email protected]
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Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 [email protected]
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For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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