Three people have been taken to hospital after getting into difficulty off Helens Bay beach in Co Down, Belfast Coastguard has said.
In a statement, the coastguard said several onlookers attempted to rescue the trio and "in challenging conditions, one of our officers entered the water to carry out a rescue".
A Coastguard helicopter, RNLI lifeboat and ambulances all took part in the operation at Belfast Lough.
The three people were taken to hospital for further treatment, the coastguard said.
