Bar Awareness Seminars

A comprehensive seminar for those likely to encounter bar crossing situations.

Important information to consider when planning a bar crossing:

Bar crossings can be dangerous, so it's important to have the right local knowledge and skills before heading out. You must:

- understand the state of the bar

- be able to interpret the conditions

- be able to assess the ever-changing shape and location of the channel

Before attempting to cross a bar:

Before attempting to cross a bar you must do the following:

1. Prepare your boat and crew by securing all moveable objects and ensure the weight, including the passenger load is low. Check that the engine and steering are performing correctly and secure all the hatches.

2. Ensure all passengers on board are wearing a well-fitted life jacket.

3. Make sure you keep an eye on the conditions and study the nature of the seas to find the best route to take. Remember the best time to cross a bar is at high water. Avoid crossing when the tide is going out.

4. Make sure you put a call in on your VHF radio to Coastguard or Maritime Radio immediately before AND after crossing the bar

Helpful Tips about Bar Crossings

Watch the video and take a look at these helpful tips before you cross a bar.

For more information on bar crossing safety, click here.

Bar Awareness Seminars

Bar Awareness seminars will include information on how a bar works, the best times to cross a bar, boat handling tips and describe the local area and conditions to consider.

There are seminars available that are run by specific Coastguard Units.

Please click on links provided below to register for the seminars.

Upcoming Bar Awareness Seminars for 2024:

More events coming soon. To enquire about events in your area please contact barsafety@coastguard.nz

Course Options

The course was really great and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to others

Harbourmaster

Which course format is right for you?

Online Study

Online Study: We have 3 online courses; Beginning Boating, Day Skipper and Maritime VHF. These courses are designed to be studied online and have great content and illustrations, are interactive and easy to navigate.
Home Study: This is a paper based distance learning option which we mail out to you for you to complete at home. This is currently not online. Both options allow you to study at your own pace giving the flexibility to schedule learning around busy lifestyles and commitments. You can also complete the course in blocks and can come back to it on a weekly basis until it is completed.

Classroom Study

Classroom courses offer the student the ability to study intensely over a finite period of time (usually a weekend) to complete a boating course. It is a chance to meet up with other like-minded boaties and learn from their experiences. Having an educated teacher with years of boating knowledge enables the student to be taught face-to-face and ask any questions that may come up.

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DISCOUNT CODES

New Member Day Skipper Course $100 discount:
To use your National Coastguard NZ new member discount for $100 off a Day Skipper course, please in put your membership number in the Discount Code field below (e.g. 123456). Do not use CGM in front of the number. This discount code may not be used in conjunction with any other offer, and can only be redeemed once.

10% Membership discount:
To use your National Coastguard NZ 10% membership discount on other selected Home Study courses, input "CGM" and your Coastguard membership number (e.g. CGM78091) into the "Discount Code" field below. This discount code may not be used in conjunction with any other offer. The courses included in this discount offer are: Day Skipper (Not to be used in conjunction with $100 discount), Boatmaster, Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate, Inboard Engine Maintenance, Outboard Engine Maintenance and GPS Operator.

All orders are subject to our terms and conditions