A well-coordinated emergency service response has helped to successfully rescue children after their sailing boats capsized in strong winds at Port Melbourne this morning.
More than 60 people, mainly children were participating in a regatta and set sail in more than 40 boats from Williamstown when strong winds upturned their vessels, leaving the sailors in rough waters.
Police were called to assist with the rescue of the children stranded in shipping channel waters between Williamstown and Port Melbourne just after 11.15am.
The shipping channel was promptly closed while Police Air Wing and Water Police officers worked together with Life Saving Victoria rescue chopper, their jet skis and St Kilda coast guard on a ground and water rescue.
The children, who were all wearing lifejackets were bought safely back to land.
