Being a regular swimmer of those waters and knowing all the people involved made it hit home all the closer.

Narooma and Bermagui swimmers head down each year to swim the Tathra Wharf to Waves. And after the attack, surf life savers from Narooma and Bermagui helped with the search.

One can take heart in the fact that there hasn’t been a shark attack in the region since the one on an abalone diver off Eden back in ’07, and I can’t find any record of a fatal attack in local waters.

Thankfully the same hysteria of Western Australia has not resulted and it seems that we over here have a respect for the ocean.

My post on Facebook with a photo of a dolphin summed up how I felt: “Regardless of how treacherous it can be in and on the water, this photo I took about a year ago reminds me what a wonderful, joyous place the ocean is worthy of all the protection we can afford...”

Speaking of Facebook, we received a lovely post on the Narooma News page from the daughter of one of the fishermen involved in Wednesday’s bar accident.

“My dad was one of the guys who was on that boat. They are so thankful for everyone who helped out - it just goes to show how good the people of Narooma are. I don't want to imagine what would have happened if they didn't have any help. Thank you so much.”

Makes you feel good hey!

Finally, well done to the organisers of the Narooma Oyster Festival, who battled the rain to put on a successful event.

The festival is increasingly being aimed at attracting visitors from outside the region, but it relies on the locals to make it a success and give it that home-grown feeling.