A coastguard helicopter was scrambled this morning after a small fishing vessel ran aground at Walpole Bay in Margate.

The Margate Coastguard rescue team were called at 8.50am and joined the helicopter before a man was winched ashore.

VIDEO: Footage shows the crewman being rescued. Credit: Martin Wicks

He was the only person on board the vessel, and is said to be recovering.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called by coastguards at 9.10am after a boat got into trouble and was beached."

Captain for the UK Coastguard Lydd search and rescue helicopter, Al Dale, said: "The person appeared to have been caught out by some atrocious conditions this morning and as a result, the vessel had run aground just off Margate.

"Despite his misfortune, the tide was on its way out and by the time Rescue 163 arrived on scene, there was an hour window for the Margate Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team to get to the boat.

"The person was winched to safety and it serves as a timely reminder to have a correctly fitted life-preserver and the importance of clear distress calls when speaking to the UK Coastguard."