THREE men were located safe and well early this morning following a night at sea on their broken down vessel.

The trio left Yarrabah yesterday to go fishing. One of the men phoned his girlfriend at around 7pm to advise that the vessel had broken down in an area between Batt Reef and Double Island.

Family members contacted police just after 11pm to advise of the situation and a search and rescue effort was initiated. A further emergency telephone call was received just before midnight, however the call terminated due to a discharged phone battery.

Air crew on board the Queensland Government rescue helicopter located the stricken vessel with the three on board at around 3.30am anchored east of Wangetti.

A Coast Guard volunteer crew was tasked to attend and tow the vessel back to Port Douglas, where police will speak with the men.