Angie Batey from Ulladulla State Emergency Service said people need to heed advice to stay away from beaches during a tsunami warning.

“People need to listen, because if something does happen, they’ll be the ones calling for help,” she said.

Sunday’s warning for the entire south coast meant rescue and emergency service personnel were ready for action if required.

Members of the Mollymook Surf Club closed beaches and asked swimmers and surfers to clear the water.

Volunteers spent most of Sunday either on the beach or in Inflatable Rescue Boats ensuring people knew about the tsunami warning.

Angie said SES crews were prepared for a large scale emergency and were kept up-to-date from the regional head office from 6.30am.

Properties such as motels and caravan parks in low lying areas were notified of the possible tsunami risk and SES volunteer fielded a number of calls from people who were unsure about the warning or who wanted more information.

The crews were given specific information to pass on to the public about staying away from beaches and not going to ‘watch’ the beach.

A surf club volunteer said most beach-goers responded to beach closures and directions to move on, however some people chose to swim and ignore warnings, even with small children.

“If something was to happen, I don’t know how people would get their kids out of the water,” the volunteer said.

While the tsunami was witnessed by a few beach-goers as a single wave rolled into the high tide mark, most would hardly have noticed any change at local beaches.