Rescuers from Fife went to the aid of four people trapped on Cramond Island.
The group were cut off by the tide after sailing to the isle in the Firth of Forth.
Both Leven and St Andrews and Kinghorn coastguard teams were involved in the mission to help them.
The three men and a woman were fined by police when they were brought safely back to shore on a lifeboat from South Queensferry on Saturday afternoon.
RNLI Queensferry later urged people to avoid activity which could put emergency personnel at risk if they get into trouble.
It said: “In this period of social distancing the reality is that if you chose to partake in activities that could end up in requiring rescue, you could find yourself in a situation where the relevant authorities have to act accordingly.
“Our advice is to avoid these types of activity.
“Now more than ever, before putting yourself in a risky situation please take a moment to consider the emergency service personnel that you could end up also putting at risk.”
Police Scotland confirmed the four rescued were fined for flouting lockdown laws.
A spokesperson said: “Around 3pm on Saturday, April 11 police received a report of concern for people who were stuck on Cramond Island, Edinburgh.
“Three men, aged 26, 31 and 32, and a 28-year-old woman were issued with fixed penalty notices under the Coronavirus Act 2020.
“Police attended the incident along with colleagues from the coastguard and RNLI.”
Emergency services personnel were debriefed at Leven, exercising social distancing.
