The vessel, Pride of the Dart, got into difficulties in the Dart river estuary near Dartmouth.

The boat is thought to have hit rocks at the mouth of the river after developing a steering problem.

Brixham coastguards said the boat, which had two crew members on board, sent out a mayday call just after 1200 BST on Friday.

Ferried ashore

Another local pleasure boat, the Dart Explorer, took 22 passengers ashore.

The remaining five passengers were taken ashore by other craft in the area.

Four were taken to Dartmouth hospital to be treated for shock.

The boat was towed and beached at a cove at the mouth of the river.