Multiple sailors sailors have been rescued in a dramatic operation after multiple boats capsized in dangerous conditions during a race on the River Derwent this afternoon.
The drama unfolded around 1:20pm when a powerful gust hit 47 vessels competing in an event for the Bellerive Regatta between Sandy Bay and Long Point.
Up to 25 young sailors, aged between 10 and 18, were thrown into the water after at least eight boats flipped.
Emergency services deployed the police rescue helicopter and marine units to the scene, working alongside sailing club safety officers and civilian vessels to pull the young sailors from the water.
“About 20 to 25 youths were in the water and some made their way to shore under their own power and a number had to be rescued,” Tasmania Police Acting Commander Andrew Keane said.
21 people were assessed by paramedics after escaping injury, suffering only from cold exposure.
“They were pretty shaken up, obviously considerably wet,” Acting Commander Keane said.
“Fortunately the weather was quite warm and they had all the safety gear on that they should have had.”
The Derwent Sailing Squadron at Marieville Esplanade opened its facilities as a staging post for the rescue operation.
“I’m very pleased to say that the records that were kept by the sailing clubs allowed us to quickly account for everybody and we are assured that every single child has been rescued and accounted for,” Acting Commander Keane said.
Bystander boats also rushed to help with the rescue effort, as dozens of beachgoers watched on.
Lisa Pilkington was in the water at Sandy Bay Beach when conditions deteriorated rapidly, witnessing things go from bad to worse for the sailors.
“It was really picking up and it wasn’t just that, it’s the direction of the wind, there’s no going against it,” she told Pulse.
“My board flipped and then I just took it in on the cove and just waited. Then I’m sitting there watching and it just got worse and worse.”
Pilkington said she saw a kiteboarder get launched into the air by powerful gusts.
Data from the Bureau of Meteorology showed wind gusts reached 95 kilometres per hour at Hobart at 1:19pm, with sustained northwesterly winds of 41 kilometres per hour.
Pilkington said conditions changed without warning after she entered the water around 12:30pm.
“The weather didn’t tell us it was going to turn,” she said.
Police say they worked with race organisers to account for all participants as they were brought ashore.
Aerial and marine resources continued searching the area as a precaution after all sailors were confirmed safe.
