A four-metre section of the wooden catwalk between two baths has broken off and is lying on the bottom of one of the pools.

The damage caused the baths to be closed again.

Big swells and high tides washed a large amount of sand into the pools, making them unsafe for diving and swimming.

Newcastle City Council aquatic services co-ordinator Geoff Hill said while the closure had inconvenienced some patrons, the timing of the damage to the pools was fortunate in that it coincided with annual winter maintenance.

The baths will remain closed for repairs and maintenance until Monday, August 11.

A Port Corporation spokesman said shipping movements were back to normal yesterday after Wednesday's heavy conditions restricted port movements.

Weatherwatch spokesman Anthony Cornelius said the swell had eased to two metres yesterday.

Lisa Barritt-Eyles