NSW Maritime today issued an urgent alert to boat skippers and rock fishermen with forecasts of large swells to impact much of the NSW coastline over coming days.
NSW Maritime Chief Executive Steve Dunn said the Bureau of Meteorology was forecasting swells reaching three metres for many coastal areas through until Sunday.
'Large east south easterly swells are expected to impact much of the coast over the next few days,' Mr Dunn said.
'These conditions should concern anyone boating in coastal areas, particularly where skippers are planning to head out to sea.
'Coastal bar crossings can be treacherous especially on a run out tide, and boat fishing around bommies and near exposed rock platforms should be avoided.
'With the forecast for large swells and people likely to be still on holidays, it is important visiting skippers check conditions with local experts.'
Mr Dunn said large ocean swells likely to exceed 3 metres would translate into extremely dangerous bar and offshore conditions.
'No catch of fish is worth the risk, with one life already tragically lost this year in a bar crossing incident at Ballina,' he said.
'Every skipper is responsible for the safety of their vessel and all on board and they should routinely check official forecasts before boating.'
'Log on with Marine Rescue before every trip offshore, wear a lifejacket because if you're not wearing it, it can't save your life, and if in doubt, don't go out.'
For more information on offshore boating safety click here.
Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph you must contact the photographer directly (there is a hyperlink in most cases to their website, or do a Google search.) with your request.
Please do not contact
Sail-World.com
as we cannot give permission for use of other photographer’s images.
Customised news feeds -Marine Industry companies, Clubs and Associations have their own customised version of our news feed on their website. Look_here_to_see_examples
