A man, child and dog were rescued by an RNLI crew after being cut off by high tide in the Strangford Lough area on Sunday.
Portaferry Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) responded to the incident at Rough Island, north of Strangford Lough.
The conditions were reported to be breezy with a full tide in force.
As the crew took to the water the casualties were quickly located and were assisted onto a lifeboat by members of the Bangor Coastguard rescue team.
They were then safely returned to Island Hill car park.
A spokesperson for the RNLI said: “Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew responded to the pagers at 11.42am to assist one man, one child and a dog when they became cut off by the incoming tide on Rough Island at the northern end of Strangford Lough.
“Once on the water helm Scott Blackwood and crew members Ros Watret and Steven Lloyd made their way to Rough Island where the casualties were spotted quickly.
“They were observed to be well and were assisted onto the lifeboat by members of Bangor Coastguard rescue team and taken to the safety of Island Hill carpark.”
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As the crew returned to Portaferry station they received a second distress call when a diver had not returned to shore after being separated from friends.
The team responded to the scene and were called off shortly after when the diver was located.
Coastguard Helm Scott Blackwood said: “Both the walkers and divers did the right thing in asking for help as soon as they realised there was a problem.
“Island Hill car park sits between Newtownards and Comber and Rough Island is easily accessible on foot at low tide across a causeway.”
He added: “We take this opportunity to remind everyone that this causeway will disappear below the cold waters of Strangford Lough twice every day as the tide comes in, and a short family walk can turn very hostile if you find yourself unprepared and cut off for several hours.
“We would urge anyone who lives, or regularly walks, close to the shore to download a tide times app and check it and the weather before venturing out. Should you find yourself in trouble or see someone else in difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
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