Just before 2200, the Coastguard was contacted by Kent Fire & Rescue reporting that a 74 year old gentleman had sunk into deep mud about a quarter of a mile from the shore.  Sheppey and Medway Coastguard Rescue Teams with mud rescue equipment were sent to the scene to assist Kent Fire & Rescue Service. Sheerness RNLI lifeboat and Southend RNLI rescue hovercraft were also on scene.

The male was recovered to his vessel by the Fire Service Mud Team before being transferred into the care of the Ambulance service by the lifeboat, suffering from the cold but otherwise uninjured. His wife was recovered to a waiting ambulance by Southend Hovercraft.

The man got into difficulty after trying to set his anchor having run aground earlier in the evening.  His wife, still on the grounded yacht raised the alarm and was able to maintain communications with the Coastguard via VHF Channel 16 throughout the rescue.