Exmouth's inshore lifeboat and coastguards were sent to the aid of two jetskiers who had entered the water after a mechanical breakdown.
The pair were attempting to swim their craft ashore when rescuers arrived on the scene.
They were able to make it to the shore unaided and were met by the coastguards who confirmed all was well.
The alarm was raised at 5.20pm on Saturday.
It is believed the owner of the jetski had driven it from Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton when the machine stopped working.
Coastguards and members of the public helped to drag the stricken jetski onto the beach.
One onlooker said: "It took around an hour and a half if not two in total to deal with it and it was a tricky and arduous task to get it up the steep bank of pebbles."
Earlier, Portland Coastguard received a 999 call reporting a 22ft boat broken down off the entrance to the River Exe with two people and a dog on board. Brixham Coastguard coordinated the rescue effort.
