Sunshine Coast Coast Guard advice for Cyclone Alfred
The Coast Guard outlines the increased risks of crossing a Sunshine Coast river mouth bar as Tropical Cyclone Alfred intensifies.
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Sunshine Coast maritime experts have given sea safety advice following Bureau of Meteorology warnings of rough conditions as Tropical Cyclone Alfred intensifies.
Rod Ashlin is a lead skipper with the Mooloolaba Coast Guard with 17 years’ experience on the Mooloolah River mouth.
“If in doubt, don’t go out,” he said.
“We’ll probably see a bit of increased swell and strengthened winds and if the storm comes close it’ll influence things a little on the bar.”
For boaties, he said watching the forecast was the obvious thing to do.
“The Mooloolaba bar isn’t in good condition being silted up so there’s breaking waves out there and you need to use caution,” Mr Ashlin said.
The Mooloolaba Coast Guard keeps track of the two deep water waypoints that boaties can get from GPS or radio contact with the Coast Guard.
Mr Ashlin said the best time to cross the bar was at high tide.
“My advice is to sit and watch for 5-10 minutes and spot the swell patterns,” he said.
“Three big then seven small waves is a rough pattern you can find but look further out at what’s coming and time going out on the smaller waves.”
He also said boaties should wear lifejackets at all times.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is showing signs it could head towards the Queensland coast.
After intensifying into a Category three system, it is currently travelling east through the Coral Sea.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said the cyclone would intensify and possibly veer back towards the central or southern Queensland coast during the week.
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