A woman fancying a whitewater rafting session with her inflatable sex-doll in a Melbourne river had to be rescued after she lost her latex playmate in a rough patch.

The somewhat bizarre choice of floatation device by the woman prompted Australian police to issue a warning that that blow-up sex toys are "not recognised flotation devices".

The woman had lost her inflatable toy in the turbulent water of the Yarra river which flows through the centre of Melbourne. She clung to a floating tree, calling for help while her fellow male swimmer stayed with her.

Fortunately for the pair, a passer-by called the police while a kayaker gave life jackets to the pair.

The emergency services were not so impressed with their choice of floating devices: "We’ve got people busy with rescues and to have to divert resources to that sort of thing is not ideal," said Senior Constable Wayne Wilson

The rescued pair were checked by ambulance officers but did not require medical attention.

"The fate of the inflatable dolls is unknown," said Senior Constable Wilson.

Poor doll