Russell Crowe had to be picked up by coastguards after getting lost kayaking.

The 48-year-old actor and a friend were stranded on Saturday when they lost their way in the waters off New York's Long Island and had to be ferried to a harbor by a rescue boat. US Coast Guard Petty Officer Robert Swieciki said the pair got lost as the sky darkened and beached their kayaks in Huntington Bay, almost 10 miles east from where they had set out.

The US Coast Guard was patrolling the area, and heard the Noah star call out to them from the shore around 10pm and paddled over to the boat. "He just needed a little bit of help, he just got a little lost. It wasn't really a rescue, really, more of just giving someone a lift," the coast guard said.

Russell - who was described as "grateful and friendly" - later thanked his rescuers on Twitter: "Thanks to Seth and the boys from the US Coast Guard for guiding the way ... 4 hrs 30 mins, 7m. (sic)"

(FYI - You can also follow VIP Breakdown on Twitter.)