Sheerness RNLI rescued five sailors lost in thick fog on a motorboat.

The rescue was the first emergency launch of the year for the Island volunteers.

The crew’s emergency pagers went off at 9.43pm yesterday following a call for help to the Coastguard from those aboard the stranded craft.

Sheerness RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Eleanor was launched into action and despite the poor visibility, the crew soon located the 25ft vessel moored to a navigation buoy in the Swale.

Coxswain Robin Castle said: “The fog meant visibility was down to about 50m which led to the people aboard the motorboat losing their way.

“They did the right thing by mooring up to a buoy and calling for help.

“Our volunteer crew train regularly to be able to carry out search and rescue operations in difficult conditions such as when visibility is poor.

"They put their training into action and were able to locate the lost boat and escort it back to Queenborough Harbour.”

He added: “The lifeboat returned to station at 11.17pm and was washed down and readied for the next emergency call.”