A rock fisherman has died after being swept into the sea at Kioloa on Saturday.
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Emergency services including the Westpac Life Saver helicopter and Mollymook and Broule surf lifesavers began searching the waters off Merry Beach about 8am.
The rescue chopper located the man and winched him to shore, however he was unable to be revived.
It is not known if he was wearing a life jacket.
A dangerous surf warning has been issued for waters along Batemans Bay, Eden and the Illawarra.
Powerful surf forecast for Saturday and Sunday prompted the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) to warn against participating in coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating and swimming.
NSW Police Force, Marine Area Command advises:
- People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.
- Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.
- Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage.
- Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.
- Boaters should remember to log on with their local Marine Rescue radio base, via VHF Radio or the Marine Rescue APP, and consider their safety management plan.
New look for BOM's Hazardous Surf Warnings
A new weather warning issued for the first time this week is aimed at enhancing the safety of rock fishers, boaters and swimmers in and around coastal waters.
The Hazardous Surf Warning service has been launched by the Bureau of Meteorology to alert the public when conditions are dangerous for rock fishing, boating or swimming due to swells created by weather systems far off the coast.
BOM Weather Services manager for New South Wales, Jane Golding, said a driver for developing the Hazardous Surf Warning was to reduce rock fishing injuries and deaths.
"A key finding from our research is that awareness of large and powerful wave conditions would influence over 90 per cent of rock fishers to change their plans," Ms Golding said.
"Boaters and swimmers also need to keep up with the latest warnings and forecasts because conditions on the water can be more dangerous than they appear, even when it seems calm and the sun is shining,” she said.
The warnings will identify which coastal waters areas are affected and include safety advice that has been developed with maritime agencies.
This service will be provided in the coastal waters areas of New South Wales and southern Queensland. The warning will be available from the Bureau's website homepage, via the National Warnings Summary: www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings, as well as the New South Wales and Queensland state warning pages, marine radio, the Bureau's weather app, BOM Weather, and mobile website.
