A rescue mission was launched on the River Medway last night after it was reported three men in a boat had gone missing.

The UK Coastguard received a call last night informing them a dinghy with the trio on board had not returned to Gillingham after setting off earlier in the day.

Members of the Sheerness RNLI Lifeboat crew were tasked to search for the 10 ft dinghy with the three on board.

The emergency call had originated from someone who was on the shore at The Strand Leisure Park, Gillingham, and that person told the coastguard the dinghy had set off form there at 6pm and was thought to be heading for the Sheppey Crossing.

The caller stated the craft had not returned to Gillingham and was overdue and there had been no communication made with the craft.

Rescuers also had no details about what safety equipment was on board the small boat.

The lifeboat crew were quickly on the scene and arrived in the area at about 10pm and began a search of the area given but never found any trace of the dinghy.

A further call a bit later from the original informant stated he had since received a call from one of the men on the missing craft to say the dinghy was now died up and all three on board were ashore and safe, but refused to reveal their location.

The crew stopped their search and headed back to their station.

Robert Castle, lifeboat coxswain said: “This is not only the 50th call out we have received this year but also the 20th call we have had over the last four weeks.

“I would once again like to re-iterate that before going afloat please make sure that all safety and communications equipment is in place and working.

"Your craft itself is up to the job and in best working order.

"Finally when you go afloat please leave details of your planned route and destination plus your estimated time of arrival and return with someone back on shore.”