COOS BAY — Local fishermen have been ready for confrontation over the U.S. Coast Guard’s new rules proposal creating more bar crossing restrictions. © 2021 Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc., an Active Interest Media company. Recent incidents have highlighted the challenges of attempting to cross waterway bars in heavy weather and at night. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, the Surfing community has wave and swell forecasting down to a science. In a storm the force of the curling combers and the menace of the shallow sandspits on either side make the entrance to the harbors almost impassable. On any given day, the pond might lie down and you will see everything out there from small riveted boats, to kayaks, and wave runners. In Avant ’s passage down the coast, we entered Astoria (the aforementioned ‘graveyard of the Pacific’), Coos Bay and Humboldt Bay/Eureka (widely considered the second worst bar crossing… Channels, 16, and 22 are emergency channels for the Coast Guard so make sure to monitor them during any crossing. Rough bar escorts - At times, the Coast Guard may determine that the safest option is to escort vessels across a hazardous bar. Commanding officers and officers-in-charge of local stations can provide an overview of their bar reporting areas and discuss in detail how their unit will conduct rough bar escorts. The 42-foot wooden boat was being assisted by the Coast Guard in the crossing because the bar was restricted by 12- to 15-foot seas. The marine casualty of a commercial fishing vessel on the Coos Bay bar resulted in the loss of a vessel, but miraculously all three crew members were saved. The marine casualty of a commercial fishing vessel on the Coos Bay bar resulted in the loss of a vessel, but miraculously all three crewmembers were saved. Name(s): Oregon State Marine Board,, issuing body. The standard “guide sled” will get you across and back safely much of the time, but a shallow v, can make for a bumpy ride when the wind chop comes up. These will have a great effect on both the stability, and comfort of your ride. Here are some tips on keeping safe when crossing the Pacific Northwest's dangerous bars. It is almost always a bad idea to cross on an ebb tide as the wind and waves will be fighting against each other creating a “stacking” effect. United States Coast Guard press release, no author. Flares, fire extinguishers, and noise making devices are just a few more of the required items that you should have available. Contact your state Marine Board for a full rundown of the required equipment. According to those that risk their lives, crossing the Coos Bay Bar at high tide is essential for the safety of the vessels in Oregon's most valuable fishery. Title: Crossing the Coos Bay bar. It's a nice facility, and the rates weren't too bad last time I checked. Channels, 16, and 22 are emergency channels for the Coast Guard so make sure to monitor them during any crossing. If you find yourself having to cross back inside under difficult conditions, match the speed of the waves and ride the back side of the swell in. Mostly cloudy with occa- '. Coastal bars may be closed to recreational boats when conditions on the bar are hazardous. I also carry a secondary GPS as an app on my phone. This allows me to cross the bar at low slack and fish until having to return on high slack. A fix is underway, but there is no exact timetable for repair at this time. Tuesday, October 11, 1949 the 6MiSr31r Cloudy toVigha with occasional showers. … See Title 33 CFR Part 165.1325 for additional information. After the near-loss of three fishermen when their vessel capsized at Coos Bay, Ore., the Coast Guard is stressing the danger of crossing the bars of Northwest waterways in heavy weather and at night. With ocean Salmon season just getting underway, and some excellent Rock fishing to be done off the coasts of Oregon and Washington, the lure of the sea is palpable. A Coast Guard crew conducting surf training at Coos Bay, Ore. in December 2019. Do not allow a wave to catch you from behind as it could break right into the back of the boat. The Coast Guard and NOAA provide information to assist mariners in navigating safely. Most accidents and deaths that occur on coastal bars are from capsizing. CROSSING THE BAR The bar is the area where the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean meet with the shal- lower waters near the mouth of the river. * WARNING: Safe navigation is the responsibility of the operator of each vessel. When using these sites, be sure to pay attention to not just the height of the combined sea’s, but the period in between them. Recent incidents have highlighted the challenges of attempting to cross waterway bars in heavy weather and at night. Unfortunately, in a similar incident on the Yaquina Bay bar, both the crew and the vessel were tragically lost. When the bar is restricted to vessels of a specified length, masters of commercial fishing vessels up to and including that length, shall contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or 22A prior to crossing the bar and report the vessel's name, location or position, the number of persons aboard and destination. But if you’re crossing at a slack or flood in weather that isn’t horrible, none of the bar crossings are difficult. Winchester Bay has a reputation among the fishing fleet of being the easiest bar on the OR coast. While the variability of each bar and given conditions require flexibility in how the Coast Guard will undertake an escort, typically two Coast Guard Motor Life Boats will be on scene. The Port of Bandon and boating community greatly appreciate having Coast Guard presence in Bandon and thank these fine men and women for the services they provide. Bar reporting and guidance - The Coast Guard has released guidance on the following regulated navigation areas. U.S. Coast Guard: Waterways Management Branch has printable "Bar Crossing Handouts" along with other important information. 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