Safety information received from NSW Maritime

RECEIVED 22 MAY 2011 FROM NSW MARITIME AUTHORITY:

SAFETY ON NSW COASTAL BARS:

Following the death of a surfer in QLD recently, NSW Maritime Authority have asked that kiters be aware of the following safety material regarding crossing of NSW Coastal Bars

www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/index.html

Media Release - 20 May 2011
Safety in Surf at Coastal Bars

NSW Maritime is reminding surfers, windsurfers, kite boarders and kayakers to keep clear of boats that are navigating coastal bar crossings.

NSW Maritime Chief Executive Steve Dunn said the warning followed a fatal incident earlier this month on the Gold Coast where a surfer died after he was struck by a boat at a bar crossing.

"Every skipper who navigates a bar crossing must be well prepared and on high alert, their vessel must be well prepared and seaworthy, and everyone on board must wear a type 1 lifejacket," Mr Dunn said.

"Once a skipper is committed to navigating across a bar, their ability to manoeuvre is extremely limited. Depending on the direction of the wind and waves, boats generally navigate through a particular channel which is often unmarked but defined by the best available deep water.

"Waves at coastal bars can also attract surfers, kite boarders, sailboarders and kayakers.

"All these activities can take place in, and around, bar areas if people apply care, courtesy and commonsense, and observe the law."

Mr Dunn said that whilst power vessels generally give way to non powered vessels, the regulations require surfers, kite boarders and paddlers to take care not to obstruct or impede the safe navigation of any vessel.

"While the regularly-used channel is generally clear of white water, there are times and conditions when surf breaks across the known course," he said.

"Negotiating breaking waves in any boat is hazardous and requires experience, preparation and planning. If the vessel is broached, swamped, or capsizes during the bar crossing, lives are at risk."

Penalties apply for obstructing or impeding the safe navigation of a vessel and can range from an on-the-spot fine of $250 to a court-imposed penalty of up to $5,500.

Bar safety information at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/index.html

Rob Smallwood
for NSWKBA Committee

IMO
Don't put your self in danger when boats are crossing a bar.

Most boat skippers will take a moment when about to cross in either direction to judge the swell, timing, white water, deep water path etc, and then it can be a split second decision to commit and go for it, and at that point there is no turning back for them.

So keep an eye out, give boaties room for 30 seconds.

My guess would be if your are kite surfing back and forth accross a bar as we do when the waves and tide are just right and a power boat or sail boat comes along in what is considered the main navigation channel (we all know roughly where these are at our local) and you expect him to give way to you, you will be in the wrong and could be fined.
Common sense really to let them get accross the bar ASAP and into safe waters.

My recommendation would be if it's a really big boat going realy fast with a big wake, go full tilt towards the rear end of the boat and boost big off the wake

Thanks all - fair call.

There are not may (any?) spots around Sydney with this kind of setup, and it's possibly a situation that a lot of kiters may not be familiar with.

PS: I am familiar with Darkspi's "rule" though

You would hope it was common sense to keep out of the way of vessels navigating the bar............

Just a pitty that common sense is no longer that common