Boat owners and anyone planning a sea trip are warned to be aware of the dangers of sailing following two rescues by Walmer Lifeboat crews.

The first emergency call-out followed reports of two people in trouble off Kingsdown and the second was to a fishing boat drifting away from the coast.

Andy Roberts, RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer, said: "The two launches, happily, had a successful outcome but in both cases things could have gone very wrong, very quickly.

"We certainly expect people to go to sea and have fun but we urge everyone to plan their voyages, however short, with care and consideration to the danger they put not just themselves in but also others."

* Buy the East Kent Mercury, August 18, for full details.