A MAYDAY call went out to the coastguard - but no ship was found after a huge search by multiple teams.

Southend Coastguard were called at 11.30pm last night to respond to the mayday call from a vessel in distress reported to be somewhere between Isle of Grain and Canvey within the River Thames locale.

No further reports from the vessel in distress were received post the initial call on emergency channel 16. The Mayday was received via the Southend Coastguard station aerial and picked up by Dover CGOC.

A spokesman for the coastguard said: "Along with Southend Coastguard, HM Coastguard - Medway Station on Kent side and Canvey Coastguard were also out searching, this along with our partners from RNLI Southend Lifeboat, RNLI Sheerness lifeboat and Gravesend RNLI.

"Whilst RNLI teams searched the River Thames on Kent and Essex sides from Isle of Grain and Southend Pier sides, then all the way up to and around Canvey locale, Coastguard Rescue teams initiated searches around the coast on both Kent and Essex sides.

"Southend Coastguard splitting into three teams specifically tasked to cover from Two Tree Island coastal areas and also up Benfleet Creek from Two Tree Island to Benfleet Yacht Club and back again via ‘Howards Way’ path.

"After a 90 minute search by the Coastguard Rescue Teams and three RNLI stations from Kent and Essex sides, no vessel was found to be in distress and Dover CGOC stood all teams down to return to station and homes in the early hours."

Anyone concerned about boats in distress should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.