Other safety resources on NSW coastal bars

Hi, I’m Rob Paxevanos. Welcome to the NSW Roads and Maritime Services series of bar safety videos. For the inexperienced or ill-prepared vessel owner, the changing nature of bars can be deadly. This is a series of six short videos that show you how to negotiate the lurking natures of a bar.

Every year, vessels are lost, and people are injured or even lose their lives due to failed bar crossings. Over the last few years, there’s been several fatalities here at South West Rocks.

A bar is a build up of sand or silt at the entrance of a river, creek, lake or harbour. This build up affects the behaviour of the water around it, and the weather and tide mean conditions can change quickly without warning – it’s naturally occurring and changes regularly.

Even skippers like me with 30 years of experience on the water never underestimate the potential dangers of a bar crossing, but there are things we can all do to minimise the risk. Visit the Roads and Maritime Services website for more specific information. In some cases, you may even be able to watch a live video of the bar you intend to cross, get local advice, check the conditions, and make sure everyone on your vessel is wearing a lifejacket.

A good day out on the water is a safe day out on the water. Watch out for the next episode in this series which shows you how to plan for a bar crossing.

Hi, I’m Rob Paxevanos for Roads and Maritime Services. Welcome to the second episode in this six-part series on how to cross a bar. This episode tells you how to plan for a bar crossing.

The first thing you need to do when planning a bar crossing is visit the Roads and Maritime Services website at rms.nsw.gov.au. It provides information on coastal bars across New South Wales, access to the coastal bars’ camera network, and tips for a safe crossing.

Then seek advice from locals, commercial operators, marine retailers, Marine Rescue NSW or local boating safety officers for tips on crossing the bar safely.

If you can, observe the bar from a high position for a few days leading up to and including your crossing. Look for the area of least wave activity and watch how other vessels handle the bar.

Check the weather conditions and tide times. The best time to head out and come back in over a bar is always an incoming tide. Information is available on the internet for wave strength and height data, such as at the Manly Hydraulics Lab or at the Bureau of Meteorology website.

And check all lifejackets have been serviced in the past 12 months or as specified by the manufacturer.

Then, armed with all this knowledge, assess the risks based on the conditions. Do you have the experience, and is your vessel capable of navigating the bar? If in doubt, don’t go out. And always have an alternative port or safe anchorage as a back-up plan in case you can’t come back in over the bar.

Watch out for the next episode in this series where we look at preparing your vessel, crew and yourself to cross a bar.

Hi, I’m Rob Paxevanos for Roads and Maritime Services. Welcome to the third episode in this six-part series on how to cross a bar. This episode looks at a preparation regime - before attempting to cross a bar, you need to familiarise yourself with and prepare your vessel.

Is your vessel well-maintained, when did you last have the engine serviced, do you know its acceleration capability, how well does it respond to steering, how manoeuvrable is it?

Check the battery, steering and bilge pump are in good working order.

Trim the vessel for best weight distribution.

Pack down soft covers and ensure loose items are secured.

Preparing your crew and passengers is just as important, especially if they haven’t crossed the bar before. Rob to passenger: “It will get bumpy here, mate.” Make sure all passengers and crew are wearing the right size and type of lifejacket. Make sure the number of passengers carried is appropriate to the vessel and the conditions. And arrange the passengers so the boat is balanced. And if your vessel has a cabin, ensure all passengers and crew are on deck holding on and seated where possible.

Watch out for the next episode in this series where we look at actually going out across a bar.

Hi, I’m Rob Paxevanos for Roads and Maritime Services. Welcome to the fourth episode in this six-part series on how to cross a bar.

Remember, the best time to go out or come back in is on an incoming tide.

Do a risk assessment based on the conditions. Do you have the experience, and is your vessel capable of navigating the bar? Remember, if in doubt, don’t go out.

Let someone onshore know your plans, where you’re going and when you’ll be back. And log your plan to the local marine rescue unit by radio or use their phone app before you leave.

Make sure your motor is warmed up.

Take the time to observe the wave patterns. Wait for a lull or look for the calmest water. Head for the lowest part of the wave which is the last bit to break.

Approach the waves as close to head on as possible. Gently accelerate through the first wave and maintain a safe speed between the waves.

If you travel too fast, you’ll become airborne and lose control of your vessel. Once you’ve started, keep moving forward and don’t attempt to turn around between waves. And remember, always keep a lookout for other waterway users.

Watch out for the next episode in this series where we look at how best to come back in across a bar.

Hi, I’m Rob Paxevanos for Roads and Maritime Services. Welcome to the fifth episode in this six-part series on how to cross a bar. Coming back in is generally easier than heading out. The conditions may have changed significantly since you left, so wait offshore to observe and assess the situation. If conditions are unsuitable, switch to your back-up plan. Radio the marine rescue unit to advise them of your intentions to come back in.

Before starting your re-entry, pick out reference points to ensure you maintain your course, and, as with going out, pick the path of least water activity.

When you’re coming in across the bar:

• you want to sit between the waves or on the back of one
• never accelerate over the wave and get in front because once you’re surfing a wave you can easily lose control of your vessel
• adjust your speed to match the waves and travel on the back of the wave. This keeps you ahead of the waves breaking from behind. The wave will slow down but also increase in height as it approaches the shallow area. At the same time, the wave behind you will bunch up.
• never accelerate and drive down the face of a wave, and always keep a lookout for other waterway users.

Watch out for the last episode in this series where we look at the common mistakes that people make when crossing a bar.

Hi, I’m Rob Paxevanos for Roads and Maritime Services. Welcome to the final episode in this six-part series on how to cross a bar. In this segment, we look at some of the common mistakes that people make.

Crossing a coastal bar is a common but high risk activity especially if not carried out correctly.

The most common mistake is travelling too fast. This may result in you becoming airborne and losing control of your vessel.

Other common mistakes include:

• not keeping a lookout for other waterway users
• increasing speed for the second wave when heading out - you need to gently accelerate through the first wave and maintain a safe speed between the waves
• attempting to turn around between the waves - once you’ve committed, keep moving forward or you may get caught by a wave side on.

Remember to visit the Roads and Maritime service website for specific information and, in some cases, even a live video of the bar you intend to cross.

Get local advice, check the conditions, and make sure everyone on your vessel is wearing a lifejacket. This will give you the best chance of a safe bar crossing.

This has been Rob Paxevanos for NSW Roads and Maritime Services. Take care out on the water.