July 2012

CROSSING BARS

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

A bar is an accumulation of sand or silt at the entrance of a river, creek, lake or harbour. There are several bars located throughout Victoria, including Lakes Entrance, Patterson River, Andersons Inlet, Barwon Heads, McLaughlins Beach and Port Albert.

Why is a bar dangerous?

Conditions prevailing on a bar can cause steep and breaking seas. Conditions can change quickly and without warning. Crossing a bar is a job for a practiced and experienced vessel operator.

Preparing to cross a bar

Be ready Make sure all deck openings, hatches and doors are securely closed and battened down. All loose gear should be stowed away and secured. All passengers must have the appropriate personal otation device (PFD or lifejacket) on and should be aware of where the lifesaving equipment is kept. Make sure equipment is ready Before setting out make sure the engines are drawing fuel from a full tank and test the engines ahead and astern. Be aware of surroundings While approaching the bar keep a close lookout for the depth of water, wave size, and where the breakers are. Make sure you also monitor the wind direction and force, wave pattern timing and potential alternate routes. Note: Breaking waves indicate shallow water.

Before you cross a bar

Exercise extreme caution The masters experience and vessel type should be taken into account when crossing a bar. No amount of experience or boat type makes crossing a bar safe when the conditions are not ideal. Know the bar All sand bars are different. You need to learn about each bar before attempting to cross it. The best sources of information are local commercial boating operators, maritime authorities, volunteer rescue groups or Victoria Police. Immediately prior to crossing a bar always contact the local authority for an update on the conditions at the bar. Assess conditions Boaters must assess conditions on a bar and be aware that a rapid change in conditions might prevent a safe return. Vessels unable to weather adverse sea conditions outside the bar should not leave port. You should make sure that you have adequate reserve fuel and provisions should you need to remain at sea longer than intended, or need to divert to another port. Obtain a weather report and check the tide times for when you intend to cross the bar. Also ensure that you know what weather conditions are expected on your return. Do not venture out to sea if you are in any doubt about your ability to return.

MARITIME SAFETY

Crossing a bar
Outbound heading out to sea > Motor slowly to the breaking waves looking for the area where waves break least or even better, not at all. Wait for a atter than usual stretch of water and motor through. > If there seems to be no break in the waves, slowly power through each oncoming wave. > Ensure that you are not going too fast over each wave as this could cause the vessel to bottom out if it dives heavily. > Punching through waves can cause severe structural damage to your vessel. > If possible, make the crossing with the bow at a slight angle to the waves so that the vessel gently rolls over the crest of each wave. Inbound heading back to port > Approaching from sea, increase power of the vessel to catch up with the bigger set waves. > Position the vessel on the back of the wave (do not surf down the face of the wave). > Adjust the vessels speed to match the speed of the waves, but do not attempt to overtake the waves. > Approaching from the sea it is more dangerous with a following sea.

Important things to remember > All bars have areas of broken water containing air these areas can severely reduce the stability and handling of a vessel. > Night crossings are more hazardous. > Vessels attempting to cross a bar at, or near, low water are more likely to experience adverse conditions. > Liquids and loose objects sloshing from side to side may reduce the stability of the vessel, for example eskies, sh, bins and water on deck. > Weather against tide is the worst time to cross a bar. Always check the weather conditions and tide times before you head out.

Where to get more information

> Phone: 1800 223 022 > Website: www.transportsafety.vic.gov.au > Email: information@transportsafety.vic.gov.au
This publication is intended as general information only and is not a substitute for the relevant legislation, legal or professional advice. Copyright in this publication resides with the Director, Transport Safety and the State of Victoria. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The information in this publication is accurate as at 1 July 2012.