The St Peter Port All Weather Lifeboat; the Spirit of Guernsey, and the St Peter Port Inshore Lifeboat; the Elizabeth and Margaret Milligan, were both despatched, with the volunteer lifeboat crew being called in immediately to launch.

A MAYDAY RELAY broadcast made by the Guernsey Coastguard was picked up by numerous vessels with the fishing boat Little M nearest.

The crew had been fishing in Rocquaine Bay when they heard the call for help and they headed directly to the scene.

A Police Officer on the Lihou Headland was able to guide Little M to where the two casualties were in the water.

Around half an hour after the pair had entered the water, the Little M crew recovered both of them from the sea at 17:10.

The two casualties were transferred into the care of the RNLI lifeboats, while the four family members still stranded on Lihou Island were recovered by the Inshore Lifeboat.

All six family members were taken back to St Peter Port aboard the Spirit of Guernsey where they were met by Paramedics from St John Ambulance and Rescue.

Pictured: The Lihou tide times are published for the year at gov.gg HERE

Access to Lihou is only via the causeway, which is only exposed at low tides. The tide times allowing for safe passage to and from Lihou are publicised at gov.gg

The official advice for crossing to and from Lihou states: 

• The causeway opening times can vary by up to 20 minutes due to weather conditions
• Allow at least 20 minutes to cross the causeway.
• Do not cross the causeway if submerged at any point (dangerous currents).
• Only cross during the times shown below. Do not cross the causeway at night.

Pictured top: Image from the Guernsey Lifeboat Facebook page.