Crossing the bar
Find information and resources about bar crossings in New Zealand.
A coastal bar is a shallow sandbank that can shift over time, typically located at the entrance to a river or harbour estuary. They are often referred to as ebb tidal deltas, which are accumulations of sediment near the mouth of tidal inlets.
Bars form when tidal currents moving from the river towards the inlet entrance (ebb tide) decelerate when it reaches the sea. Sediment is deposited, forming a bar, which reduces the depth of navigable water in the channel near the mouth. This environment can behave unpredictably with steep breaking waves.
Coastal bars are also advantageous for storage of sediment, dissipating wave energy from inlets (creating a natural buffer for harbour estuaries) and regulating exchanges of sediment between inlets and the ocean.
Bar crossings can be dangerous, so you need the right local knowledge and skills before you go out.
You must be able to:
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understand the state of the bar
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interpret the conditions
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assess the changing shape and location of the channel.
Before you head out, build your knowledge by:
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talking to local experts, such as Coastguard or the harbourmaster
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observing the bar at low tide so you can see the channel and hazards.
Bar crossing awareness: Must-know safety tips from Coastguard
Crossing the bar “Getting it wrong” Part 1
Crossing the bar “Getting it right” Part 2
Crossing the bar “Making the decision” Part 3
Crossing the bar “It happens” Part 4
1. Prepare your boat and crew.
- Secure all loose and movable objects in the boat.
- Keep weight, including passenger load, as low as possible.
- Check your engine and steering are working correctly.
- Warm up the motor.
- Secure all hatches.
2. Put on your lifejackets.
- Make sure you and all your passengers are wearing lifejackets correctly.
- It is the skipper’s legal responsibility to ensure lifejackets are worn in situations of heightened risk, such as when crossing a bar.
3. Keep an eye on the conditions and plan your path
- Study the nature of the seas to find the safest route.
- Aim to cross at high water where possible.
- Avoid crossing when the tide is going out.
- Wait until conditions are suitable before you cross.
- if possible, choose a less dangerous route.
4. Report to Coastguard or Maritime Radio
Immediately before you cross the bar, make a call on your VHF marine radio to your local Coastguard or Maritime Radio station. Then call Maritime Radio or Coastguard once you are safely across to let them know.
Alternatively, you can download a copy of the sticker below.