Hazardous weather conditions are forecast for the Northern NSW coastline for today, Sunday 15 March.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Hazardous Surf Warning and a Marine Wind Warning to affect the Byron Coast in northern NSW through to the Hunter.
Conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming. People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas. Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.
Joel Wiseman, Director of Lifesaving at Surf Life Saving NSW said that conditions across the weekend will be hazardous and some beaches will be closed.
‘We urge members of the public not to engage in risky coastal activities. If people put themselves in danger in these conditions, it becomes an increased risk to our lifesavers who are expected to rescue them,’ he said.
With strong 20-30 knot winds and sea swells forecast to build in some locations, volunteers on patrol will be assessing the conditions and may close beaches if necessary.
Surf Life Saving NSW will have Duty Officers and surf rescue assets on standby across the weekend to respond to any critical coastal incidents.
Many surf sports events and some Nippers activities scheduled for the weekend have been cancelled due to the risk to competitor safety, in addition to measures designed to reduce the potential spread of the Coronavirus among members of Surf Life Saving and the public.
Surf Life Saving NSW Director of Lifesaving, Joel Wiseman urges the public to take extreme caution if they are visiting the coast.
‘Surf Life Saving NSW is anticipating that many NSW beaches will be closed due to dangerous surf conditions. If lifesavers and lifeguards haven’t put the red and yellow flags up, the beach is not safe for swimming,’ said Mr Wiseman.
Visit beachsafe.org.au or download the Beachsafe App, to find patrolled locations and up-to-date beach conditions.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
