Boaters and rock fishers are being urged to stay off the water, with dangerous conditions forecast to batter the New South Wales coastline over the coming days.
Marine Rescue NSW has issued a strong warning ahead of a major swell event expected from Friday, with hazardous surf and gale-force winds forecast along the entire coast.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Dan Duemmer said conditions will be extremely dangerous, with large swells building across multiple regions.
A southerly swell of between four and six metres is forecast for the Byron and Coffs coasts, increasing to four to seven metres along the Macquarie Coast. Swell of up to eight metres is expected to hit the Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra and Batemans coasts, with the Eden Coast also facing significant seas of four to six metres.
“It is going to be incredibly dangerous on the ocean. Please heed the warnings and don’t endanger yourself or others by hitting the water,” he said.
“No recreational trip is worth risking your life.”
Hazardous surf warnings are already in place statewide, with conditions expected to worsen into Saturday. Authorities say the combination of strong winds and powerful swell will make boating conditions unsafe.
“The forecast winds and swell will make boating hazardous — don’t risk it,” Mr Duemmer said.
Boat owners are being advised to secure their vessels where possible, ensuring proper mooring or anchoring ahead of the deteriorating weather.
The warning also extends to rock fishers, with authorities stressing the heightened risk posed by the incoming swell.
“Rock fishing is a high-risk activity even in favourable conditions. With this forecast, it is an absolute no-go,” Mr Duemmer said.
Residents are also being urged to avoid walking near exposed rock platforms, where waves can be unpredictable and dangerous.
In an emergency, boaters should contact Marine Rescue NSW via VHF Channel 16 or call Triple Zero (000).
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organisation, with more than 3,500 trained volunteers supporting communities through search and rescue operations, marine radio monitoring and boating safety education.
