Maritime Alert - North Coast NSW

by Neil Patchett on 4 Oct 2010 NSW Maritime has today issued an alert to skippers from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads due to heavy rain.

Acting Regional Manager Steve Black says heavy rains on the mid-north and north coast is cause for caution.

'The rain is causing some flooding and the waterways most affected at this stage are the Bellinger, Kalang and Orara Rivers.

'Anytime rains wash down these sort of catchments, the waterways not only rise but are often filled with all manner of debris.

'The advice to skippers is to wait for conditions to abate for going boating on any flood affected waterway.

'Even when conditions start to return to normal, it is advisable to take extra care when boating in the aftermath of flooding because there may be new hazards such as semi-submerged logs and trees, and navigation markers may have shifted.'

Mr Black said the adverse weather conditions had caused the cancellation of the annual Grafton Bridge to Bridge water-ski yesterday.

'NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers will be checking these waterways as soon as possible to ensure the system of navigation markers remains intact,' he said.

'Anyone who notices navigation markers have shifted or been washed away can help by reporting it directly to our Info Line on 13 12 56.'

www.maritime.nsw.gov.au