Central Coast water users are being urged to be aware of surroundings and maintain safe distances during this season’s whale migration along the NSW coast.
The reminder follows a significant increase in the number of whales migrating north through NSW waters and a serious incident involving a recreational vessel on the state’s South Coast on June 6.
Just after 9am, a breaching whale landed on top of a recreational vessel off the coast of Narooma.
The 39-year-old male skipper advised that his 18-year-old male passenger had sustained a serious head injury and was trying to navigate back to the boat ramp despite the vessel taking on water.
NSW Ambulance paramedics met the vessel at the boat ramp and treated both men before taking them to hospital for treatment.
The younger man was later airlifted from Moruya Hospital to Canberra Hospital, in a critical but stable condition, while the older man was treated at Moruya Hospital for facial lacerations and concussion.
Maritime NSW has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It’s believed the whale may have also been injured during the incident and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will work with Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) to monitor the situation and ensure assistance is provided, if required.
Anyone who sees a stranded, entangled or distressed whale is urged to contact call NPWS on 1300 0 PARKS.
Water users are reminded they must not approach a whale any closer than 100m on a vessel, including boats, surf skis and kayaks, or 300m on a ‘prohibited vessel’, which includes jet skis.
Swimmers and divers must not enter the water within 100m of a whale and must maintain a distance of at least 30m in any direction.
Unmanned aircraft (drones) must not encroach closer than 100m, while other aircraft must maintain a distance of 300m, except helicopters and gyrocopters, which must maintain a distance of 500m.
Source:
Brisbane Water Police District Facebook page, Jun 8