With hazardous weather conditions forecast continuing to batter parts of southern NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW is urging the public to exercise caution when visiting the coastline.
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.
On 9 July, two rock fishers were swept off the rocks at Little Bay while over 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 a weekend of strong swell across the state, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting that hazardous surf conditions are likely to continue through the week along the southern half of the coast from Sunday, extending from the Hunter region down to the Victorian boarder.
With school holidays still in effect in NSW, there may be more visitors to our coastline and conditions will be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming. People should consider staying out of the water.
Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean, 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.
“We really want to emphasise, particularly after the incidents we have seen over the past few months, than these conditions can be quite dangerous for rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming,” he said.
“Our resources are actively patrolling and Support Operations Teams from the Hunter to the Far South Coast are in operation, but if you take are planning on taking a risk, we strongly urge you to check BeachSafe and understand your limitations.”
Club call-out teams, Duty Officers and surf rescue assets are on standby, as always, to respond to critical coastal incidents, despite it being the off-season.
Monday 15 July 2024