The student said the trip was part of a project

The Chelsea Art College student planned to row along the Thames to Margate in a boat made largely of fizzy drinks bottles, tubing and sticky tape.

He hoped to get across the Thames before crossing the Channel on a ferry and finding his way to Berlin.

A Port of London authority spokesman said the German student was rescued 200 yards from the dock.

The spokesman said they were concerned for the student considering he had a self-made sail, one oar and no form of communication.

He (the student) left the river but the following day he was seen again on the foreshore near the Isle of Dogs. Port of London authority spokesman

He was spotted in trouble at 1900 BST last Tuesday by a member of the public.

After being rescued, he agreed to give up his attempt but was spotted on the Thames the next day.

The Port of London authority spokesman said: "We intercepted him just off the Millennium Dome.

"We strongly advised him that he was putting himself and others in danger.

"He left the river but the following day he was seen again on the foreshore near the Isle of Dogs.

"He said he wanted to sail to Margate and then take a ferry to France and reach his home in Berlin.

"When he was asked why, he replied `It is all part of a project of mine'."