b'BEFORE YOUCROSS A BARTHERE ARE 10 IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPSYOU SHOULD FOLLOWCheck the weather, tide and bar conditionsContact coastguard or maritime radioimmediately prior to crossingon to send the boat skywards the boat virtually stops, suspended in the aeratedEnsure adequate stabilitywater, then drops down the back of theBatten downwave. Easier said than done, and you should be practising that one on theLifejackets must be worn and all crew mustrelatively calmer days first, again andbe awakeagain til you get the actual timing of the exercise spot on. Approach at moderate speedAs Ive already stated, wind, swell, and tide change everything, and with thePost a lookout to monitor sea conditions asterntide change comes a very different sea.Communicate your successful crossing toOut-going tides in bar situations, movecoastguard or maritime radioat anything up to five knots, and put this up against a swell situation rollingIf in doubtdon t crossin at 15-20 knots, and you suddenly have a steeper wave face that has moreAvoid ebb tidepotential to breakat any time! Which equates to danger, so it becomes even trickier now, negotiating your way in or out of a bar.Remember, if in doubt dont go outFIGZ /FISHINGINGODZONE63'