Open water swimmers are being urged to inform the Coastguard before they set off, following an incident in which the RNLI were called out to Hilbre Island this morning.
The inshore lifeboat crew were sent to search for a large party stranded on Middle Hilbre on an incoming tide after a concerned member of the public spotted them at around 9:30am and raised the alarm, fearing they were at risk of being cut off.
The party of nine were located on Middle Hilbre and were found to be well-equipped and awaiting the high tide so they could swim to shore.
Richard Diamond, West Kirby RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: “Open water swimming is an increasingly popular sport and beach safety is, therefore, vitality important.
“We would encourage open water swimmers to notify HM Coastguard of their intentions prior to distance swimming.”