Torrential rain and water safety

Lightning and flash flooding are causing havoc in Australia. It's time for a reminder about water safety and rock fishing.

Rock fishing can be dangerous… check the weather before you go!

Be careful of the following… a combination of one or more could be dangerous:
•    Rising tides and high tides
•    Large waves
•    Strong winds

What to check for:

Step 1. CHECK when high tide is – High tide can cover your rock fishing spot with water. Rising tides and high tides make waves break onto rock fishing locations. You may get trapped or swept off the rock by a high tide.

Step 2. CHECK for large waves – Large seas or swell waves can be dangerous. You may get swept off your rock fishing spot by large waves.

Step 3. CHECK for strong winds – Strong winds can create dangerous waves or push you off wet, slippery rocks.

How to check:

1. Check for Severe Weather Warnings – look for abnormally high tide, damaging winds or damaging surf.
Available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings/index.shtml

2. Check the Coastal Waters Forecast – look for winds above 15 knots, and seas or swell greater than 1.5m. Wind and waves can reach double the forecasted figure. If you are in NSW, also look for a comment about ‘breaking dangerously close inshore’.
Available at http://www.bom.gov.au/marine/

3. Check Tide Predictions – look for rising tides and high tides.
Available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/tides/

Link to a rock fishing safety site:
Safe Fishing website - http://www.safefishing.com.au/Rock%20fishing.html