Coasteering involves jumping, climbing and swimming along the coast. Photo: Scott Harrison Photography CC-BY-SA-2.0

A group on a coasteering trip was given safety advice after being rescued by a lifeboat crew.

The instructor with the group of eight had to swim to a passing boat after they were cut off by the tide at Ilfracombe in Devon.

The group, which included six 12-year-old girls, was trapped at Hele Bay with no means of raising the alarm. The instructor had to wait for a boat to pass, then swam out to raise the alarm shortly after 8pm.

The crew of the vessel used the boat’s radio to call the Coastguard for help.

Swansea Coastguard sent the Ilfracombe Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene and requested the launch of the Ilfracombe Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat. The lifeboat arrived at 8.20pm and picked up all eight and brought them safely back to shore, where they were met by the Coastguard Rescue Team and given safety advice.

Swansea Coastguard watch manager Will Parfait said: “By the time the lifeboat reached the eight people darkness had set in and the group, especially the young girls, were very cold.

“Anyone heading out on to the coast, especially those involved in an activity such as coasteering where there are associated dangers, should always carry with them a means of raising the alarm, whether it be a mobile phone, VHF radio, or handheld flares.

“You should always check the tide times before setting out on a coastal trip, particularly over the coming weeks as the spring tides mean higher tides.”