farrermog

This bloke was well trained and doing his job, but as an ex Sydneysider I wouldn't be putting my big toe in any part of the harbour without the comfort of a lot of collateral company -

http://tinyurl.com/ckhmtg

Next month's Sydney Harbour Swim Classic should see some super fast times.

farrermog

BTW, David Lockwood, quoted in the article, writes an excellent boating column 'Tidelines' in the weekend <i>Sydney Morning Herald</i> which provides a very informative guide to Sydney and surrounding waterways, for boaties and non boaties alike.

Susan7

Fabulous post, Farrermog!

I was struck by the fact that the diver was on anti-terrorist exercise when the shark bit him. Who needs a large navy when we have such good natural deterrents! Guard-sharks.

There's been a few of those harbours swims lately. Dawnie to Cockatoo, was one I thought I could manage but now I'm glad I didn't do it!

farrermog

The Codocks rugby league teams I played against were tough buggers, but in those days most of the sharks were working in the car yards on Parramatta Road.

prue

Just to add there was a shark attack at Bondi Beach yesterday as well!

lanejohann

bullsharks are everywhere
even in the riverslike the hawkesbury

we just dont see em
but the locals will tell you
so dont go waterskiing if you dont see others doing it

what happened to the shark net at bondi? shark ate it??

avoid swimming at dusk or early morning and near fishermen and after the rain

be safe and holiday in dubais

Songdoc

avoid swimming at dusk or early morning and near fishermen and after the rain

OR IN THE WATER!!!

I don't even want to take a shower.

lanejohann

hey bondi was closed because of the shark attack

thats a first for my generation...

poor shark - wondering what thehell he did wrong

Bokhara2

Just a note on the first attack: Able Seaman Paul de Gelder lost a hand in the attack and had his right leg amputated on Wednesday.

The other chap, Glenn Orgias, who was attacked at Bondi is in hospital in a stable condition. His hand was almost severed and the medicos say the next few days will tell whether they have been able to successfully re-attach it.

The papers today (20th Feb) are reiterating the need for people to observe the basic rules of swimming in our waters:
* Don't swim at dusk/dawn
* Don't swim near river/creek entries to the sea, and especially don't swim in these areas after rain, when nutrients will be washing into the sea.
* Don't swim in overcast conditions
* Don't swim in murky water.
* If no-one else is swimming/surfing .... don't be the first.
(Good advice/black humour: Don't be the bait!)

farrermog

Bokhara - that reminds me, don't be the first ones out again after the shark 'all-clear' and then don't go out too far - saw a great example at South Steyne once - the all-clear went and a few young show-offs raced each other out - as soon as they'd cleared the breakers, you guessed it, the shark alarm went again. Very entertaining for the watching crowd on the beach as they swam frantically back and almost collapsed as they staggered from the water.

BTW, for overseas visitors to this site, the Australian expression "Wouldn't shout if a shark bit him" does <i>not</i> signify great courage or extreme stoicism, but rather to having the thoroughly despicable reputation of being prepared to go to any lengths to avoid buying a round of drinks.