Two men had to be rescued after being blown out to sea in strong winds while on a paddleboard and inflatable flamingo.
The incident happened on Monday (July 14) afternoon when the pair got into difficulty off Leysdown beach, Isle of Sheppey.
Concerned people on the shore raised the alarm, prompting the launch of the Whitstable RNLI lifeboat at 3.11pm.
The B-class lifeboat reached the scene just nine minutes later, at 3.20pm.
The two men were found around 300 yards offshore, both on a paddleboard, with neither wearing lifejackets or carrying any means of calling for help.
They were brought onboard and returned to the beach, where they were handed over to the Sheppey Coastguard Rescue Team and waiting family members.
While heading back to Whitstable, the lifeboat crew also recovered a pink flamingo inflatable – found a mile out to sea – which belonged to the same casualties.
Weather conditions at the time were reported to be strong south-westerly Force 5 winds, blowing offshore from the Leysdown area.
Whitstable RNLI’s launch authority, John Baker, has now issued a warning following the rescue.
“This incident highlights the risks of venturing onto or in the water during strong offshore winds,” he said.
“It was fortunate that the lifeboat was able to respond in good time and return them to the shore, but there was a real risk they would have been carried much further out to sea.
“The advice we give is that people should be aware of wind and tide in their location. The use of inflatables is of particular concern to the RNLI – nationally, over 200 people are swept out to sea each year.
“Blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for pools, not the sea.”
Mr Baker also warned that incidents involving paddleboards are becoming increasingly common, not just in the Whitstable area but across the UK and Ireland.
“Paddleboarders are advised to wear lifejackets and carry some means of calling for assistance should they get into difficulties,” he said.
“By taking some simple precautions, a potential tragedy can be avoided.”
