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Stray boat which posed threat to shipping lane on the River Medway has been recovered

11:00, 02 January 2017

updated: 11:03, 02 January 2017

A stray boat which posed a threat to shipping vessels when it started floating down the River Medway has been recovered.

The small fishing boat became stuck outside KM offices in Strood this morning.

It appears to contain concrete slabs and a square box - covered by tarpaulin.

The boat outside KM offices on Medway City Estate
The boat outside KM offices on Medway City Estate

kmfm newsreader Josh Coupe spotted the boat when he arrived at the offices in Sir Thomas Longley Road at around 6.30am.

He said: “We spotted it when we arrived this morning. It wasn’t here yesterday and it looked suspicious.”

The boat was recovered and taken to Sun Pier in Chatham. Pic: Richard Rodgers
The boat was recovered and taken to Sun Pier in Chatham. Pic: Richard Rodgers

Josh called the police and Medway Coastguard were also called.

Richard Rodgers, deputy station officer, said: “The boat was stuck on something but it came loose and started floating away again down the river.

The Sheerness inshore lifeboat crew recovered the stray boat. Pic: Richard Rodgers
The Sheerness inshore lifeboat crew recovered the stray boat. Pic: Richard Rodgers

“It was a danger to shipping so we have called the lifeboat service to remove it.”

The boat was recovered by the Sheerness inshore lifeboat crew and taken to Sun Pier in Chatham.

Mr Rodgers added: "Inquiries will made to locate the owner."

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