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An adult and two children rescued from a drifting inflatable were among eight call-outs yesterday for a lifeboat crew.
The hot weather and offshore breeze meant Margate RNLI were kept busy as visitors flocked to the coast.
At about 10am, the coastguard received a report of a kayak in difficulties, some distance offshore between Kingsgate Bay and Joss Bay.
The Margate B-class lifeboat - the Atlantic 85 - was scrambled to the scene but discovered the vessel was returning safely to shore.
But about two hours later, the D-class inshore lifeboat investigated a report of two jet-skis attempting to tow another jet-ski.
The vessels were found about a mile off the boathouse and as they were making good progress, the lifeboat escorted them back to Margate beach.
Then at about 2pm, the coastguard were told a person was seen clinging to a surfboard off the boathouse.
The D-class lifeboat launched in blustery conditions and was guided to the craft by the coastguard.
Later, an inflatable toy, believed to have come from the Main Sands, was recovered off Foreness Point - and the lifeboat recovered two more inflatable toys also blowing offshore.
At about 3.30pm, a green inflatable was seen drifting seawards off Walpole Bay - with the occupant calling for help.
The D-class lifeboat found a jet-ski at the position and the occupant said another jet-ski had picked up the inflatable and returned it to shore.
While returning to station, the lifeboat was re-tasked after the coastguard took a direct call from an inflatable with an adult and two children on board drifting seawards from Botany Bay.
The craft was quickly found and the three occupants were taken aboard the lifeboat and returned to Botany Bay.
While returning to station, the lifeboat was again diverted when two kayakers were observed from the boathouse to be in difficulties half-a-mile off Westbrook Bay.
The casualties were recovered by a jet-ski who landed them back ashore and the lifeboat returned to station.
A call for the B-class concerning multiple inflatables off St Mildred’s Bay was cancelled at about 6pm when the situation was resolved.
Finally, the eighth call came at about 7pm when the B-class lifeboat provided safety cover for shoreside agencies dealing with a separate incident also at St Mildred’s Bay.
Margate RNLI's deputy launching authority, Christian Wright, said: "It has been a typical day where people take advantage of the fine weather but underestimate how an offshore wind can quickly blow small craft including inflatables seawards.
"Such reports require an immediate response as anyone on the craft will soon be lost from view from the shore.
"We strongly recommend that visitors keep to lifeguarded beaches and do not use inflatable dinghies or toys at sea."
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