Kite Surfer Search cost £20,000!

Portland coastguard say a search for a kite surfer they thought was missing, but who'd actually just lost his kit, cost them around £20,000.

Rescue crews in Poole first got a call at 04.20 pm on Friday 18th November 2011, to say a kite surfer`s gear had been found adrift in Poole Harbour.

The Coastguard Rescue Helicopter based at Portland was scrambled as well as the Poole RNLI inshore lifeboat.

A search of the south east corner of Poole Harbour was undertaken both of the sea and the shoreline. Dorset Police also joined the search and assisted with enquiries at local residences.

The search was stood down at 08.10 pm with worries the kite surfer may still be out at sea, but he later contacted the coastguard to say he was ok and had just gone home after losing his kit.