A day out to Cramond Island turned into a rescue drama for three families.
Six people had to be pulled from the Forth when they were caught out by the tide.
Queensferry Lifeboat Station spokesman Hamish Campbell said the situation could have had tragic consequences if the rescue team had not been quick to arrive at the scene.
Those in the water were already chest deep in the water and in danger of hypothermia or drowning.
The RNLI Queensferry lifeboat picked up another group from the island.
It is understood a teenager in the group at first attempted to make it to shore but turned back and waited on the island for help.
Another two adults and a child with a minor injury managed to get back to Cramond.
A woman was treated for a suspected sprained ankle by medics at the shore.
Six children and six adults were plucked from the water and the island and taken to safety by the lifeboat shortly after 1pm.
The Cramond Bistro opened its doors to help them warm up after their ordeal.
Those involved in the drama were believed to be three families from the Edinburgh area.
Queensferry has the busiest inshore lifeboat station in Scotland and rescuing people from Cramond Island is a regular call-out for the lifeboat crew.
Mr Campbell urged anyone visiting the island to check the tides before setting off.
He said: “The advice given to anyone is check the tide tables before setting off.
“If trapped by the fast incoming tide, stay on the island and call for assistance as it is extremely dangerous to attempt to wade ashore as the water rises very quickly.
“This could have been very bad if the lifeboat had not got there when it did, because the tide comes in rapidly.
“We get called out fairly regularly to Cramond Island.
“We’ve got to get there as quickly as possible because people might try to get ashore themselves, which is very dangerous, especially when the water is as cold as it is now.”
arobertson@thecourier.co.uk