A Chinese university student and her visiting mother were rescued from the rising tide at Hopewell Rocks in southeastern New Brunswick on Friday afternoon.

"They're back on shore, safe and sound," Riverview Fire Chief Denis Pleau told CBC News.

“I’m not sure how much time they would have had, but the tide was getting pretty close to them, so it was paramount that we did it as quickly as possible."

The women were on the rocks mid-afternoon when the fast-rising tide blocked their access to the stairs, leaving them trapped, said Pleau.

'They apologized for inconveniencing us, but it was no inconvenience, we were happy to help them out.'—Riverview Fire Chief Denis Pleau

The daughter used her cell phone to call 911, he said.

Rescue crews were deployed from Riverview, Dieppe, Moncton and Hillsborough.

A Canadian Forces Cormorant helicopter also responded, but was unable to get to the women. "I'm assuming due to the proximity of the cliffs," said Pleau.

The Riverview Fire Department launched its Zodiac rescue boat and plucked the women from the rocks.

“They were very grateful we helped them," said Pleau. "They apologized for inconveniencing us, but it was no inconvenience, we were happy to help them out," he said.

"They’re not hurt, they’re safe and sound, and everybody’s happy.”

The daughter is attending a local university, said Pleau. "Her mother is only in town for three days — and got an interesting experience," Pleau said.

The Moncton Fire Department sent its new hovercraft to the rescue, but it was not used. (CBC)

The Moncton Fire Department sent its new hovercraft to the site, which is about a 30-minute drive from the city.

But it was not used, Chief Eric Arsenault told CBC News.

It would have been the first time the hovercraft was used in a rescue mission, said platoon chief Brian Gaudet.

The hovercraft was purchased this summer for off-road rescues. It can travel in water, on ice, mud and firm ground.

The Hopewell Rocks closed for the season on Oct. 8.

Visitors can still enter the park during the off-season, but the attraction's website notes they "do so at their own risk and must assume full responsibility for their safety."

The Hopewell Rocks boasts having the highest tides in the world.