Boating Warning: Unsafe waterways after wild storm

Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is urging people pretty much right along the NSW coast to avoid non-essential boating as the onerous clean up gets under way in the wake of the wild weekend weather.

The busies waterways in the State in the Sydney region, including the Georges, Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers, and most coastal rivers and tributaries from border to border are suffering the after effects of the weekend’s storm-force wind, seven-metre swells and deluge.

"Roads and Maritime Services operational staff are busy removing debris from the water, reinstating navigation aids, buoys and signs and helping boat owners recover vessels," RMS Principal Manager Sydney Alex Barrell said.

"All non-essential boating should be postponed as there is a large amount of rubbish and debris, including trees and vegetation as well as building materials and other large items expected in the water.

"Some debris is obvious and some submerged or semi-submerged, which can be extremely hazardous for boaters.

"Many of the navigation aids which guide boaters away from hazards have washed away and although Boating Safety Officers are working hard to reinstate them, it could be several weeks before they are all back in the correct location which means dangerous areas could be left unmarked.

“Work is also under way to salvage and/ or relocate several large boats which broke away from their moorings at various locations.

At least eight large vessels have also sunk in the Sydney region, many others have washed ashore in coastal towns and harbours, and there are quite a number of sunken pontoons.

"In the aftermath of major weather events such as these, it is timely to remind boat owners they have a responsibility to maintain moorings," Mr Barrell said.

"Moorings must be serviced at least once a year with a proof of mooring service produced to Roads and Maritime Services boating safety officers on request.

"Holders of mooring licences are responsible for damage caused by their boat or mooring to any other vessel or property.

"Boat owners should check their moorings only if it is safe to do so."

We will add that some moorings their ropes and boats in those conditions would be stretched to their limits regardless of maintenance and many of those on lee shores in the northeast would be a hopeless case.

On the bright side, the aftermath of storm-force coastal conditions are often an opportune time to wet a line. Think snapper and jewfish.

For more information on mooring maintenance and boating safety, go to www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime.