RYA SPRING 2021


OWhat’s the state of the tide? As a general rule, the safest time to cross a bar is in the last two hours before


high water. OWhat are the prevailing conditions? A strong onshore breeze and ebbing tide will drastically increase the wave action


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on a bar. ODoes the bar change? They have a tendency to move laterally due to floods or bad weather and to increase or decrease in height. These changes can be drastic in just a few hours, let alone over weeks or months. Pilot books will have been accurate when they were written but may no longer represent the actual position or depth of the bar. Gather local knowledge to ensure you’re clear on any recent changes, in particular where the deepest water is. If you’ve decided that it’s safe to proceed with your planned entry or exit, here are some tips that will help you to


make a safe transit: OSit and watch the waves on the bar from a safe location for a period of time. Waves come through in sets and what looks benign at one time can look devastating five


minutes later. OMake your crossing during the last two hours before


high water. OSecure hatches and make sure everything on board is


properly stowed. OWhere available, make the local harbour master or coastguard station aware of your intentions, and remember to contact them again once you’re clear of the bar area. This is common practice in most locations around the world


when crossing bars. OHave your VHF radio and/or PLB close to hand and ready


to use. OBrief crew, have them all on deck in lifejackets, safely seated or braced. In some locations it is a legal requirement for everyone on board to wear lifejackets when crossing bars.


Your approach


A river bar entrance will usually have some sort of visual pilotage aid such as a directional light, a set of transits or a sector light. Make sure you have a clear idea of where you need to be positioned for your approach to the bar and how you’re going to monitor your position as your execute your arrival or departure.


Making a departure


Identify and watch the area with the deepest water – this will usually be where you see the lowest part of each wave or where the waves aren’t breaking. Once you start your approach you’re committed. Your hand should be on the throttle and you should approach the waves straight on. In a power boat you’ll want your bow trimmed up a little help you over the waves rather than through them. You want enough speed to get you up the wave but not so much that you fall off the back of it.


Padstow’s Doom Bar creates great waves for kite surfers but can be hazardous.


Continue on, carefully monitoring incoming waves until


you’re well clear of the danger zone. When leaving harbour this is often much further to seaward than you might imagine.


Making an entrance


Entering a harbour across a bar is similar to leaving one, but is made somewhat trickier in that you can’t see the face of the waves from out at sea. It’s therefore very easy to misjudge how severe conditions on a bar may be. Having made sure you’re lined up on the appropriate bearing, transit or directional light, you need to make your approach confidently. Again, once you’re committed there’s no turning back. Where the vessel has enough speed and acceleration you


want to position yourself on the back of a wave and ride the wave in. Don’t attempt to overtake the wave or you run the risk of broaching or being swamped. On a power boat keep the bow up a little to assist. On a slower displacement vessel the waves will overtake you and it’s important you do your utmost to keep the boat straight and keep enough speed to maintain good steerage. Again, carry on, maintaining a careful lookout astern until you’re through the danger zone.


Always be sure


If you’re at all undecided about whether to attempt a bar crossing or not, don’t! Once you’ve begun to cross, there’s no opportunity to stop. So do everything you can to obtain local knowledge and, if possible, try a few entries and exits over a bar with someone experienced before making your first attempt. River bars can be dangerous and must be taken seriously. They are changeable and no two are the same. Unlike most areas of boating, which can be done safely in a variety of conditions, the decision on whether to go out for the day – or not – will often be dictated by conditions on a bar rather than the general weather conditions.


Photo: John Insull / Alamy Stock Photo


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