With hazardous weather conditions impacting the NSW coastline today and forecast to continue into tomorrow, surf lifesavers are urging the public to exercise caution when visiting the coastline.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Hazardous Surf Warning and a Marine Wind Warning for the NSW
With large and powerful sea swells of up to three and a half metres and strong winds forecast, conditions will 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, SLSNSW Director of Lifesaving, said that conditions along the NSW coast are very dangerous today. He urged the public to exercise extreme caution if they are visiting the coastline.
Surf Life Saving NSW is a gazetted emergency service organisation and has call-out teams, Duty Officers and surf rescue assets on standby to respond to coastal emergencies.
The newly opened SLSNSW State Operations Centre in Sydney is on standby 365 days a year to respond to coastal emergencies and coordinates multi-agency emergency asset tasking. The State Operations Centre is operational between 7am and 7pm throughout the week – with support services extended as required. Surf Rescue emergency call-out teams will remain on high alert over the next two days.
Visit beachsafe.org.au or download the Beachsafe App, to find patrolled locations and up-to-date beach conditions.
Since 1 July 2020, 11 people have drowned on the NSW coastline. During the 2019/20 season, 49 people drowned on the NSW coastline – nine above the 10-year average.
