Sheppey Coastguards had their busiest period in more than 30 years – with 18 call-outs in a week.

Officer Ian Goodwin said things had gone mad in July, with a total of 36 shouts, due to a combination of good weather, school holidays, visitors who were unfamiliar with the tides, water conditions and high winds.

On Monday, just before 6pm, three children were taken to hospital after their dinghies drifted offshore near Leysdown.

Thames Coastguard had a 999 call reporting two youngsters in the inflatables, aged 13 and 14, and a further two in the water, struggling to swim to shore.

Sheppey Coastguard, Whitstable lifeboat and the RAF Sea King helicopter were called in.

The two children swimming made it to shore, while the two drifting in the dinghy were recovered.

Three were taken to Medway Maritime Hospital after taking in water and suffering from the cold.

Coastguard officer Ian Goodwin spoke about the dangers of inflatables.

“Please avoid them but if you do want to use them then ensure it’s under the supervision of an adult,” he said.

“Off-shore wind can easily carry them out to sea.”

Other incidents included jet skiers aground at Milton Creek on Wednesday; a speedboat aground in the Swale at Fowley Island on Friday; unexploded ordnance at Minster Leas on Saturday and on the same day reports of a fishing vessel thought to be low in the water at Royal Oak Point, which turned out to be a hovercraft.

The coastguards were also called after a boat ran aground in The Swale at Long Reach on Saturday after its engine failed; on Sunday there was a capsized dinghy with a broken rudder at Warden Point and on Monday a yacht was aground on Queenborough Spit.

Also on Monday, five people on a motor cruiser got into difficulty near Southend Pier.

Sheerness Lifeboat was called to help three children on board who were distressed and suffering from severe seasickness.

An adult had suspected concussion.

The vessel was escorted to Queenborough where crew were met and assisted by coastguards.

Mr Goodwin reminded people to check their craft’s engines, keep away from the cliffs and to take a radio and the correct equipment if out on the water.

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Members of the Sheppey Coastguard team have been honoured for their dedication.

They were presented with The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012 medal at a ceremony on Monday, July 29.

Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service have been given out annually since 2002 as part of the UK honours system to recognise the work of people across the country who give up their time to help the community.

The jubilee medals have been issued as a one-off category. A presentation took place at the unit’s base in Grace Road, Sheerness, and Mayor of Queenborough Cllr Sue Simpson gave 10 out of the 12-strong team their medals and a certificate.

Mr Goodwin said: “We are delighted to receive this award.

“We are pleased to get it full stop, but to get it in the Queen’s jubilee year is extra special.”