An attempt to launch a speedboat turned into a rescue operation as gale force winds started to blow it out to sea.

Two men had been trying to get the 14ft-vessel going at the shingle bank on Minster beach at round 1.30pm yesterday.

It is believed one of them was in the boat trying to start the motor while the other was on land holding a rope attached to the front when he fell in the water and let go of the line.

The person in the boat attempted to get the engine going but as he started drifting out to sea, he also fell in the water, before getting back on board.

Winds with gusts of up to force eight were blowing it further away from the shore.

Windsurfer Brian Culver, who was sitting on the shoreline, saw the incident and swam out to help him.

The Sheerness inshore lifeboat (ILB) launched at 1.42pm and brought the two people to shore, both of whom were cold and hypothermic.

Both men went into an ambulance to warm up, but neither was taken to hospital.

The RAF rescue helicopter from Wattersham, Suffolk, and Whitstable Lifeboat were also tasked to assist but both were stood down on route.

The ILB recovered the speedboat before returning to its station at 2.50pm.

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