| Crossing a bar to get into a safe harbour can be a | | | | a book. If the seas are heavy, just sail away from the |
| very dangerous part of sailing, and many accidents | | | | shore to give yourself plenty of sea room, heave to |
| have been put down to unexpected heavy waves at | | | | and see it out. The safest place to be in a boat in |
| the wrong time, unexpected shifts in the current, when | | | | heavy weather is out to sea, not close to the shoreline. |
| the real cause of the mishap is the skipper's failure to | | | | If you don't know how to heave to, then you'd better |
| observe simple rules. | | | | learn before you go sailing. |
| The majority of accidents incurred when crossing a | | | | The best time to cross a bar when entering a harbour |
| bar are on the way into a harbour, rather than leaving | | | | is: |
| it. This is because people plan the time when they | | | | |
| want to leave, even the day, to catch the tide at the | | | | 1. When the incoming tide is strongest |
| right time. They can sit comfortably at home and wait | | | | 2. When the water is at its deepest i.e. high tide |
| for the right time to go. Unfortunately, with all the | | | | Remember these two simple rules and you should |
| planning in the world, you cannot guarantee that you | | | | have no problems. |
| will arrive at the harbour entrance at exactly the right | | | | The incoming tidal current runs from about three hours |
| time for entry. | | | | after low tide to about three hours after high tide. This |
| There is probably the pressure that you have to be | | | | gives you a six hour window, but for extra safety |
| somewhere on shore at a given time, perhaps to get | | | | chop an hour off each end, so you have a four hour |
| to work the next day, and you feel you must get | | | | window, This still gives you plenty of time. |
| home at soon as you can. Here is a word of advice | | | | There are only two other factors to consider when |
| for anyone contemplating going sailing - if you have | | | | choosing your time within this window. |
| deadlines to meet, don't go! You should only have a | | | | |
| timepiece on board to aid you in sailing tasks, like | | | | 1. The incoming curent may help you across the bar, |
| checking the tides, or arranging watches on deck , not | | | | but if it is too strong it may affect your |
| for the everyday reasons we look at our watches | | | | manoeuvarability once inside the harbour |
| every ten minutes. | | | | 2. If your boat is a shallow draft, you may not need to |
| So accept the fact that a boat is not like your car - | | | | wait until full high water |
| you can't just hop in it and go somewhere at the drop | | | | In summary, taking these two factors into |
| of a hat. You have to wait until the elements are in | | | | consideration, I would suggest that the best time to |
| your favour. If this means staying out at sea for | | | | cross a bar and enter a harbour would be one hour |
| however long it takes, then so be it. Play cards or read | | | | (certainly no more than two) after high water. |