In scenes reminiscent of a national geographic programme, nearly 30 whales were snapped making their serene way to Sheerness yesterday.

They were a mile out in waters off Garrison Point when a river maintenance crew from neighbouring Peel Ports was called to help herd them back out to sea.

Sheerness Lifeboat was also on hand to steer the pod of 28 pilot whales - a smaller member of the species - away from the busy shipping lane and possible danger.

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Dave Redwood, a member of the Briggs Marine crew based at Peel Ports which headed-out at 11am to head-off the mammals, said: “In 21 years, the only whales I’ve seen off Sheerness before are dead ones which have been recovered from the shore.

“Sunday’s experience was totally exhilarating.

“The whales were so graceful and were swimming so close to the boat you could actually touch them.

“It was so nice to be there and witness it all.”

According to Dave, a marine specialist aboard another vessel in the vicinity said one of the whales may have been sick and was attempting to head for shore with the support of the pod.

The operation involving the Briggs Marine crew continued until nightfall at 5.30pm.

By that time, the whales had been escorted a further three miles out to sea and were no longer visible.

There have been no reports of any further sightings.

Dave, 52, said, although whales are a rare commodity in the Thames Estuary “more and more” are appearing off the UK than ever before.

He said the Island was “rife” with seals and a yearly count carried out by the Zoological Society confirmed numbers around Sheppey were increasing every year.

“I can only put it down to the general water conditions - they clearly like it here,” he said.

Video: This amazing footage shows a pod of 28 whales off the Kent coast - courtesy, Dave Redwood

“I’d like to say a big thank-you to the skipper of the Julie-Sue vessel who did a brilliant job of turning the whales around in the first place and steering them back to Sheerness.”