Bar crossing seminar returns to Raglan

Crossing the Raglan Bar is something many boaties will do this summer, and it is also one of the riskiest parts of any trip.

Bars can shift, lift, break and turn in seconds. Even experienced skippers get caught out, and every year there are preventable tragedies on bars across Aotearoa. In 2024, 23% of craft-related drownings occurred during bar crossings and five of those involved capsize incidents. Most happened close to shore.

This month, Coastguard Tautiaki Moana and Raglan Volunteer Coastguard are hosting a Bar Crossing Seminar and on-water demonstration to help local boaties understand the Raglan Bar, read conditions, and make safer decisions every time.

Why this matters in Raglan

Just last weekend, Raglan Coastguard volunteers responded to a serious capsize on the Raglan Bar. Four people were rescued thanks to:

Logging a bar crossing report

Wearing lifejackets

Activating a PLB

The fast response of nearby boaties and volunteers

Their preparedness made a big difference, but many incidents do not end as safely.

This seminar is about upskilling before you are out there.

You will learn:

How to read the bar and when not to go

How swell, tides, wind and river flow interact at Raglan

What a safe approach looks like

Real stories from Raglan Coastguard skippers

• How to log a bar crossing report with Coastguard

Weather permitting, there will also be an opportunity to head out on Gallagher Rescue for a real-time bar observation session.

There is a small cost for the on-water portion. To secure a place on the vessel, email raglancoastguard@gmail.com

Event details

Bar Crossing Seminar – Raglan

Sunday 23 November, 9am to 4pm

Raglan Bowling Club

Followed by optional on-water training aboard Gallagher Rescue (weather dependent)

To book your on-water spot: raglancoastguard@gmail.com