Boaters’ information session to be held at Bellambi Point ahead of busy summer

BOATERS who use the waters off the Illawarra coastline for recreation are being encouraged to attend an on-site information session at Bellambi Point.

Wollongong City Council is organising the sessions in collaboration with NSW Police, Transport for NSW (Maritime) and Surf Life Saving Illawarra as a way to build surf and beach knowledge ahead of a potentially busy summer.

Council’s director of community services, Kerry Hunt said two information sessions will be held at Bellambi and Port Kembla on December 10 and 11.

“In recent times we have had a number of tragic boating and rock fishing incidents off our coast,” she said.

“These information sessions will help those who enjoy these pursuits to build their safety knowledge by learning from the experts from a number of key agencies.’’

The details are:

• Rock Fishing Safety: Friday, December 10, from 4.30pm at the bottom carpark at Hill 60, Port Kembla.
• Boating Safety: Saturday, December 11, from 8am at Bellambi Boat Ramp.

“We will have a range of safety experts on hand to offer advice for safer rock fishing and boating,’’ Ms Hunt said.

“We felt that doing the sessions at the locations where people access to fish or put their boat into the water would be helpful as it provides the chance to get a better understanding of the real-life conditions they might go out in.

“We are all well-educated now in what you need to do to swim at the beach safely and that has come through a focussed effort from a number of key agencies. Swimmers know to follow water conditions advice from Council lifeguards and Surf Life Saving volunteers and to swim between the red and yellow flags. It’s hoped that this initiative will provide rock fishers and boaters the opportunity to increase their knowledge and improve their safety.”

We ask those who are attending to follow the Public Health Order, maintain a social distance and to get tested and stay home if they’re feeling unwell.

For those who are unable to attend, Council’s website has a range of information on rock fishing, and Transport for NSW (Maritime)  has boating tips on its website.

Subscribe to the latest Bulli & Clifton Times’ stories

PAYPAL TIP JAR

YOU can support the The Bulli & Clifton Times and/or the Looking Back local history websites with a donation through PayPal. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs, and help support independent journalism and local news media. You can leave a small tip here of $2, or several small tips, just increase the amount as you like. Every dollar of support helps provide you with an independent and free source of local news and information.

A$2.00

OR DONATE BY DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD

Instead, you can make a small donation towards the publishing of The Bulli & Clifton Times and/or the Looking Back websites with your credit or debit card. If you would like to support my work, you can leave a $2 donation here by tapping or clicking on the button below. Your generous patronage of my work and research, however small it appears to you, will greatly help me with my continuing costs.