Visitors and residents are urging MidCoast Council to erect more specific signs warning users about the dangers of swimming at the unpatrolled Tuncurry Rock Pool.
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The latest plea follows yet another near drowning incident at the popular swimming spot last month.
Regular Sydney visitor, Terry O’Sullivan is appealing to council to become more proactive with its warning signs after a relative was swept out into the harbour by the fast moving tide.
It took four men to help the elderly woman, aged in her 70s, to safety,
Terry said there was no sign of danger as the woman and two friends waded out in the shallow water.
But it was clear the fast outgoing tide created a situation like a “rip” in the right corner of the pool, he said.
The woman lost her footing and soon found herself in deep water. She was unable to swim against the power of the rip which was dragging her toward the fiercely turbulent channel.
At one point during the rescue, the woman and the men were enveloped by swell from a boat passing through the channel.
MidCoast Council community spaces recreation and trades manager, Dan Aldridge, explained the pool was not initially designed as a swimming area until the 1990s.
“It was adopted by the community as a swimming pool,” Mr Aldridge said.
The ‘pool’ was erected by Public Works to prevent wave action entering the harbour, he said.
Mr Aldridge said the netting and small buoys, which sat level with the water, was to prevent swimmers being swept out.
We have extensive signage advising this was an unpatrolled beach and could be dangerous, he said.
Mr O’Sullivan did acknowledge signage was in place.
On checking the surroundings, I did note a sign near the breakwater which simply says “strong current”, he said.
This is at odds with the free visitor guide, Discover Magazine, which advises that: “Tuncurry Rock Pool is an excellent spot for kids. Protected and with quiet water it is perfect for toddlers. There is also a ramp to the water’s edge for wheel chairs”, Mr O’Sullivan said.
“Clearly, this pool represents a very real danger to young and old alike.
“The locals consider that the floating rope should be moved closer to the beach on the right side of the pool to stop people from swimming into the area of the tidal rip.
I might also suggest that the floating rope continue along the rock wall so people may escape without venturing closer to the turbulent channel waters.”
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
