Multiple 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 strong winds hit the water off Long Beach at Sandy Bay.

Several small racing boats capsized, throwing participants into the choppy conditions.

Emergency services deployed marine rescue units and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to the scene.

Multiple yachts capsized and sailors were rescued from the water after a strong wind gust. Image / Pulse

Bystander boats also rushed to help with the rescue effort, as dozens of beachgoers watched on.

Police confirmed shortly after 3pm that everyone involved had been accounted for and assessed by paramedics, with no injuries reported.

Multiple yachts capsized and sailors were rescued from the water after a strong wind gust. Image / Pulse

“All participants involved in the race and subsequent marine rescue on the River Derwent have now been accounted for,” police said.

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.”

Multiple yachts capsized and sailors were rescued from the water after a strong wind gust. Image / Pulse

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.

Multiple yachts capsized and sailors were rescued from the water after a strong wind gust. Image / Pulse

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 to 89 kilometres an hour,” she said.

Multiple yachts capsized and sailors were rescued from the water after a strong wind gust. Image / Pulse

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.