A Coastal Hazard Warning is in place for damaging surf for people in parts of Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast Forecast Districts.
A low pressure system in the southern Tasman Sea is generating large south to southeasterly swells for parts of the New South Wales coast.
Very heavy surf, which may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion, is possible along parts of the New South Wales coast during today and Wednesday.
Damaging surf conditions are forecast throughout the warning area during today. Conditions are expected to ease from the south later today but an increase in southeasterly swell overnight will renew damaging surf conditions for the entire warning area.
Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas, particularly south-facing coastlines.
A Hazardous Surf warning is also current for the New South Wales coast.
Locations which may be affected include south-facing coasts and beaches around Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Batemans Bay.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
Surf Life Saving NSW is urging the public – particularly rock fishers – to exercise caution.
It comes after a series of rock platform related coastal drownings in recent times, shining a light on the dangers of rock fishing in particular.
Earlier this month two rock fishers were swept off the rocks at Little Bay while a two week stretch between the end of May and mid-June saw two separate incidents at Kurnell result in four fatalities of people on rock shelves being washed into the ocean.
After wind and swell picked up on Sunday evening and into yesterday (Monday 29 July), the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting that hazardous surf conditions are likely to continue today and are expected to be at their worst tomorrow, where some beaches along the coastline are predicted to experience as large as 10-12 foot swells.
For the rock fishers who get out more during the colder months, they should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean altogether, and those who may be whale watching or walking along the rocks are encouraged to do so from a safe vantage point.
SLSNSW Director of Lifesaving, Joel Wiseman, is urging the public to exercise caution if they are visiting the coast.
“These conditions are not conducive to any sort of ocean activity, but are particularly dangerous for rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming,” he said.
Addressing rock fishing accidents and deaths are a big priority for Surf Life Saving and efforts to better educate at-risk communities to the dangers will continue.
“Our Gone Fishing practical workshops, funded by the NSW Government, were extremely successful, reaching thousands of fishers and delivering more than 1000 free lifejackets to participants. Programs like this are vital if we are going to have a hope of arresting the drowning toll,” said Joel Wiseman.
Club call-out teams, Duty Officers and surf rescue assets across the state are on standby, as always, to respond to critical coastal incidents, despite it being the off-season.
ROCK FISHING SAFETY TIPS
Always wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear
Check tides, swell and weather conditions
Fish with a friend – never fish alone
Carry a mobile phone and let someone know where you’re planning to go and when you plan to be back
Never turn your back to the sea
Always spend time watching the conditions before fishing, and constantly scan for changing conditions
Do NOT jump in if someone is washed into the water
If you are swept into the water don’t panic. Stay calm and swim away from the rocks
If witnessing an in-water emergency dial Triple Zero (000) – Police
See www.beachsafe.org.au for patrolled locations/times and rock fishing safety information
Image: BOM, ARN Bega Bay
