A north-east lifeboat was launched this afternoon after a local fisherman alerted UK coastguard to an inflatable kayak floating in the sea near to his boat.
Stonehaven lifeboat was dispatched shortly before 12.50pm and went to meet the crewman, who had by this point recovered the inflatable kayak, about 0.75miles east of Tod Head.
A coastguard spokesman said: “We are investigating any and all possibilities.”
Police said that they had not been made aware of the incident.