Two adults and a child were rescued from strong currents in Morecambe Bay in what the lifeboat crew said could have been "a devastating situation".
The three people had been caught in the currents near Jenny Brown's Point at Silverdale, were drifting away from the shoreline and unable to make it back.
The coastguard called out the Morecambe lifeboat crew at 12.14pm on Saturday.
The two adults and a child were found almost two miles offshore and suffering from the cold.
A spokesperson for Morecambe RNLI said: "Launch Authority Mark Lister authorised the immediate launch of Morecambe’s hovercraft under the command of Adam Mills which immediately made to the area.
"(The three people) were recovered and taken to shore leaving them in the safety of Arnside Coastguard.
"The hovercraft crew returned back to base whereby they made ready the craft for the next callout.
"This incident was extremely serious as whilst the casualties had a mobile phone they had no safety equipment including no life jackets.
"The casualties had already started to suffer the effects of the cold. If the crew hadn’t arrived when they did then this situation would have been devastating.
"We cannot stress enough anyone going out on the sea whether paddle boarding, kite surfing, sailing should always have the correct safety equipment including life jackets. Failure to do so as this incident shows could cost lives."


Police issue quicksand warning after riverbank danger for school pupils in Lancaster
Lancaster animal shelter launches 'Big Build' fundraiser to help save charity
LISTEN: Morecambe "definitely submitting a bid" to become first UK Town of Culture
Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes'
LISTEN: Tourism champs hail Eden Project and Tour de France as huge for Morecambe Bay area
Donation helps college pan ability football team to play in national championships
LISTEN: Meet the new manager of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe
LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month
£1.2m of funding for flood defence schemes in Lancaster district announced
Morecambe Bay hospital trust unveils new painless blood test
Thousands raised to help boost return of Lancaster Music Festival
High street computer games shop in Lancaster closes down
LISTEN: Carnforth actor wins Hollywood and Paris awards for horror film role
"1600 potholes repaired last week" says councillor as roads debate rumbles on
Burger King takeaway in Lancaster city centre closes down
Morecambe lifeboat crew reunite dog lost on sands with owner
New Morrisons Daily supermarket opens in Morecambe
Council investigate after derelict food trailer found dumped in Lancaster layby
Man charged after pedestrian died in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe

