Murray River closed to boating
NSW Maritime has advised boaters to keep off the Murray River after the waterway was closed to boating and swimming today.
NSW Maritime Murray/ Inland regional manager Scott Kidd said the State Emergency Service (SES) issued the closure this afternoon after heavy rainfall across southern NSW and northern Victoria has resulted in significant flooding.
“For safety reasons, the closure of the river to all forms of boating — recreational, commercial, motorised and non-motorised — is effective immediately.
“Swimming and any other pursuit which requires people or equipment to enter the Murray and associated floodwaters is also prohibited for public safety.
“The SES under the NSW State Emergency Service Act has closed the Murray River with immediate effect from Tocumwal Road Bridge to Barham Bridge,” Kidd said.
“Heavy rainfall across southern NSW and northern Victoria has resulted in significant flooding, with rain continuing to fall and showing no sign of abating today.
Kidd said flood warnings also remained current for many rivers that drain into the Murray, and anyone thinking of heading out on flooded waters should think reconsider and only head out if absolutely necessary.
“There is a lot of floating debris in the water, much of it which is lurking beneath the surface.”
NSW Maritime also advises navigation markers can be dislodged or even washed away in flood waters.
Anyone with information about damage to the navigation marker system should report details to NSW Maritime to allow reinstatement of the markers as soon as possible. Call the NSW Maritime Info Line on 13 12 56.