Water Police are appealing for public assistance in relation to a man possibly distressed in the waters off Margate late yesterday afternoon (December 13).

Around 5:15pm a female witness saw the man in the kayak, 1.6 km off shore as the storm came through, she could not see the man.

A second female witness saw the man on the kayak paddling furiously towards the shore and lost sight of him as the storm hit.

Water Police and the rescue helicopter are currently conducting a search of the area.

Police are requesting that if anyone with information concerning this report including the man in the kayak to please contact Policelink on 131444.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.