Waikato Regional Council’s maritime services team says a recent mishap on the west coast is a reminder for boaties of the need for extreme care when crossing the region’s coastal bars.
Two fishermen had to be rescued by helicopter after they were injured in a rough bar crossing at Raglan. One person on the boat suffered a broken ankle. The injured men had to be winched to safety and were transferred to hospital for treatment.
Maritime services team leader Richard Barnett said this type of incident showed the dangers of bar crossings and how boaties needed to be well prepared for crossing them.
“Bar crossing is the highest risk activity facing boaties in the Waikato.”
Videos on how to cross bars are available at: http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/barcrossing/
Raglan Coastguard also runs regular bar crossing courses.
“There’s some great information out there to help boaties keep safe. We encourage people to make use of these resources to help keep themselves and their passengers safe while crossing the region’s bars, particularly over the busy summer boating season,” said Mr Barnett.