A boat likened to a vessel befitting a James Bond film has caused a stir after appearing in a Kent harbour.

The 007-style boat has been spotted in Ramsgate over the past couple of weeks, with residents pondering why it’s there and if the secret spy is staying in their town.

But, unfortunately, Mr Bond is not the captain of the mystery boat although the tech behind it is something straight out of Q Branch.

In fact, there is nobody behind the wheel.

Known as MADFOX, it is a piece of Border Force tech with state-of-the-art surveillance technology, aimed at stopping small boat crossings and saving lives at sea.

The unmanned vessel can travel at 40 knots and is controlled by another ‘master’ boat.

It was first tested in 2020 and at 41 feet long, is kitted out with a radar, camera and automatic tracking system.

Resident Christopher West shared a picture of the high-tech vessel on Facebook with the caption: “Does anyone know which hotel James Bond is staying at?”

The photo shows the sleek-looking water vehicle in front of businesses Property Management Co and Level 11 Photography, which are situated in brick arches.

Mr West, who first spotted the vessel in the harbour two weeks ago, was met with a stream of responses.

Referencing a popular local guesthouse, Karen Wakefield commented: “I haven’t got a San Clu!”

Michelle J Coombs added: “Probably has a view to a kill.”

Pictures of the boat out of water, offering a better look, were also shared.

Martin Wyville joked: “007 grounded again!”

In 2020, a Home Office source told The Telegraph: “MADFOX could play a valuable role in protecting lives by detecting and tracking small boats, as well as capturing vital evidential material to support criminal prosecutions.”

Drone experts also said the boats could be deployed remotely for hours to detect them and then alert a master ship to intercept them.

Sensors on board are able to pick out and differentiate between specific vessel types, such as yachts, fishing vessels, ferries and cruise ships as well as asylum seeker’s boats.

When approached, the Home Office declined to comment on MADFOX, or why it was in Ramsgate.