Coffs Harbour marina smashed as NSW storm rages

Marine Rescue NSW crews on the Mid North Coast have been working throughout the night (June 4-5, 2016) and the morning to respond to emergencies caused by the wild weather lashing the NSW coastline.

COFFS HARBOUR CHAOS
In a 2.30am operation, Marine Rescue Coffs Harbour crews ferried boaters in the marina harbour to safety after a boardwalk collapsed and a finger wharf was torn adrift, stranding them on board their vessels with no way to reach shore. (Opening photo).

Volunteers on board rescue vessel Coffs 30 worked with the NSW Police Marine Area Command and SES to rescue a dozen passengers on boats tied to the finger wharf. 

In winds gusting to 50 knots, Coffs 30 took the passengers aboard and ferried them to shore. The wharf has now been washed up on the beach in the outer harbour.

PORT MACQUARIE YACHTS ADRIFT
Further south at Port Macquarie, three Marine Rescue crews are out on the water assisting vessels in trouble.

Two yachts broke their moorings and have been washed on to rocks while another has been blown on to a sandbar.

Earlier this morning (June 5), a BBQ pontoon boat broke its moorings and became entangled in the cables of the Hibbard Street ferry across the Hastings River. Volunteers on Port Macquarie 20 helped clear the pontoon boat from the cables.

MRNSW Mid North Coast Regional Controller John Murray commended the volunteers for their fast and professional response to these emergencies.

SYDNEY HARBOUR MOORINGS
In Sydney, a yacht has broken from its moorings and run aground off the point of Garden Island. But thanks heavens for the safety of Manly Cove, where a number of yachts were safely riding out the storm on supplied public moorings that have proven a godsend in the black nor'easter.

Deputy Commissioner Dean Storey again appealed to boaters along the coast to heed warnings not to venture out in the shocking conditions.

"Our crews remain on high alert for emergencies in this wild weather. We are ready to assist the community wherever we can and will continue to work with our colleagues in the emergency services as the effects of this weather continue to be felt along the coastline," he said.

All told, this is pretty mild marine damage reported to date, but there are surely many more boating incidents, especially from poorly maintained craft on moorings. Stay safe and keep off the water until the raging tempest has eased. Check the weather on the following links...

BOM MARINE WEATHER LINKS
Wherever you’re sailing in Australia, the marine weather warnings, forecasts and information you need are available on the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au/marine/.

BOM's graphical mapping tool MetEye allows you to zoom to any location and visualise the weather forecast. To help you better plan your journey, MetEye has recently been upgraded to include new wind wave and swell forecasts. Your boatsales and BoatPoint crew thoroughly recommend this excellent forecasting tool available at www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye.

When out on the water, tune into the weather on your marine radio at www.bom.gov.au/marine/radio-sat/marine-radio-sat.shtml.

Remember, weather is only one aspect of marine safety. Check in with your state or territory marine safety agency to find out what other precautions you should take to stay safe on the water. More at State and Territory regulations