Marine Rescue NSW is urging skippers to plan carefully, prepare thoroughly and attempt bar crossings only when conditions are safe.
Ahead of a busy holiday season, more than 700 volunteers will again operate eight units in the Hunter Central Coast zone.
That also includes overseeing one of the most notorious crossings on the NSW coast, the Swansea Channel in Lake Macquarie.
“Skippers must not underestimate the risks,” Inspector Jane Shirriff said.
“If you’re unsure, don’t go out.
“The consequences of misjudging a bar crossing can be severe, with overturned vessels quickly turning a day on the water into a life-threatening emergency.
“If that [capsizing] occurs, boaters should stay with their vessel and grab hold of anything floating.
“Coastal bars are dynamic and unpredictable, with conditions capable of deteriorating rapidly.
“But, a lack of preparation and poor decision-making are common contributing factors in bar-related emergencies.”
Last summer, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers across the Hunter Central Coast:
Completed 514 search and rescue missions, including 112 emergency responses
Returned 1,199 people safely to shore
Kept watch over almost 4,500 Logged On vessels
Marine Rescue NSW Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews admitted one of the most effective safety measures was also the simplest: Logging On.
“When a boater Logs On, they share details of their trip and expected return time,” he said.
“If they don’t return as planned, a search will be initiated.
“Logging On saves vital time in an emergency and can be done via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or on VHF channel 16.
“It only takes a minute to Log On to protect a lifetime.
“We want people to have an enjoyable time on the water this holiday season and get home safely.
“A skipper who chooses to cancel or adjust a trip in poor conditions shows good leadership.”
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