BY DANIELLE RIES
Today the Bureau of Meteorology has launched the Hazardous Surf Warning service to alert the public on dangerous conditions for rock fishing, boating and swimming.
People in the Hunter are being advised to be extra careful and to check out this new service before heading to coastal waters, particularly with over a dozen people have been killed rock fishing around Catherine Hill Bay in recent years.
The alerts and updates will help reduce rock fishing injuries and deaths as up to 90 percent of people are influenced to change their plans.
Manager of Weather Services for NSW Jane Golding says this service will provide important information for people.
“This stand alone product ties in some safety advice, some precautions people can take if they’re planning water activities and some very clear advice from the NSW Police and the marine area command section.”
Also today, the Bureau of Meteorology has released a hazardous surf warning, asking the public to be cautious this weekend around coastal waters.
Senior Forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology Jake Philips warns the public to be safe around the coast over the next few days.
“At the current time we do in fact have a hazardous surf warning and this is the first time this has officially been issued as a warning product. It does cover the entire NSW coast and that’s for today and tomorrow as well.
“If you’re going out along or near the coast, just be very wary of those conditions in the next couple of days.”
Mr Phillips also expressed there are plenty of other ways to check for dangerous conditions.
“The best way is to find out on our website www.bom.gov.au under the warnings section. If a hazardous surf warning is current, it’ll be listed with the areas affected. But it’s also listed on other forecasts such as any town forecasts along the coast and also district forecasts as well.”