Two dog walkers sparked a rescue mission when they were cut off by the incoming tide tide at Huntcliff.
One of them was able to dial 999 from his mobile and both RNLI lifeboats from Redcar were launched, at about 3.30pm yesterday.
Both men, together with Staffordshire terrier Shelley, were rescued from the cliff bottom before being transferred to the Redcar lifeboat.
They said, "We'd gone for a walk along the shore from Saltburn towards the cliffs.
When we realised we were trapped we called the coastguard and they sent the lifeboat.
The ride back to Redcar in the lifeboat was a bit scary - like a rollercoaster!"
They were taken back to Redcar's lifeboat station and treated for the effects of the cold.
A Sea King rescue helicopter from RAF Leconfield had also been dispatched but was turned round when the men were rescued by the lifeboat.
Cameron Bond, helmsman of the Redcar inshore lifeboat Jacky Hunsley, said, "The job was relatively straightforward, but they were glad to see us. We get called to this point a lot of times, so we're well-practised at getting people out safely.
Huntcliff is a notorious point, and dozens of people have been rescued over the years. Anyone walking the beach should carefully check the tide times and leave plenty of time to get away safely."
With this incident counting as two call-outs because both boats were launched, it already makes it, with five jobs, the busiest start to a year in the lifeboat station's 208-year history.
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