Crossing a bar is one of the riskiest things you’ll ever do, no matter how experienced you are.
There are three types of bar crossings – dangerous, very dangerous and extremely dangerous.
- Check the weather within 12 hours of heading out.
- Check the tide – always avoid low tide.
- Talk to a local about the bar conditions.
- Tie down any loose objects such as anchor and ropes.
- Everyone must wear a lifejacket.
- Contact Coastguard on VHF immediately before you cross and after you’ve successfully crossed.
- Avoid ebb or falling tides (between high tide and low tide, when water flows away from the shore).
- Check out distress signals.
