South African Maritime Safety Authority
Ref: SM6/5/2/1
Date: 10 December 2020
Marine Notice No. 54 of 2020
Crossing the Bar vs Surf Launch Endorsement
TO ALL SMALL VESSEL OWNERS, SMALL VESSEL OPERATORS, SKIPPERS, SKIPPER TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, NSRI COXWAINS, SURVEYORS AND PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
Summary
This marine notice serves to remind all small vessel owners/operators of the hazards and risks to be considered prior to crossing the bar at the Kowie river mouth. The notice follows the conclusions and recommendations made after several accidents and near-miss incidents had occurred, which were subsequently investigated. The principles applied and considerations given can also be applied to other instances of crossing the bar out of any river mouth. Whereas the competencies for crossing the bar are encompassed on p96/7 under boat manoeuvring and handling :
1. BACKGROUND
Several incidents and accidents similar in nature have occurred in the Kowie river mouth, sparking debate regarding the historical requirement for SVCC holders to hold a surf launch endorsement prior to exiting the river mouth. There is a very shallow sand bar across the Kowie river mouth causing a very sudden build up and break of large waves which are difficult to anticipate. The sudden onset of a set of large breaking waves across the river mouth after a small ski-boat has committed to exiting the river can lead to damage to vessels and injury or fatalities to personnel.
In the past SAMSA has required skippers using the river mouth to have a surf launch endorsement on their SVCC. However, it has recently been concluded in collaboration with the national boating manager that the skillset required for surf launching (which is traditionally an endorsement required for launching off the beach on the South and East coast of the Republic) is not the same as the skillset for navigating the river mouth where a shallow sandbar exists. Therefore the surf launch endorsement will not be a requirement for skippers crossing the bar. Skippers qualifying at, and using the Kowie river mouth are cautioned however to consider this Marine Notice (or the SAMSA pamphlet on the matter) prior to attempting to cross the bar.
2. SKILLS
Knowledge, understanding and proficiency for surf launch endorsement as per MN13 of 2011 (p96), are:
3. KEY POINTS FOR CROSSING THE BAR:
Tide:
a. Exiting: only cross the bar from: 3hrs before high tide until tide turns
b. Return: only cross the bar from: 3hrs before high tide until 1.5hrs after high tide
c. Avoid 2 days leading up to and including Spring Tides, Spring Tides and 2 days post spring Tides
Weather:
d. Crossing the bar should only happen in favourable weather conditions
i. Visibility
ii. Wind
iii. Waves
Local knowledge:
e. Skippers new to the area should plan their voyage
i. Visit the bar site from shore and watch the movement of the water
ii. Identify the point where you can pause and wait for the right pattern of waves to cross the bar
iii. Identify the point of no return, after which you have to complete the bar crossing
iv. When exiting vessel should be between 12° and 24° off the face of the wave and not 90° (head on)
v. When returning vessel should be at ± 90° to the face of the wave while travelling just about one boat length behind the crest of the wave, never overtake and surf down the face of a wave.
vi. Understand the effect that the gradient of the bar and the rate and direction of the current relative to the wave direction has on the wave size and steepness of the wave face.
vii. Understand the importance of crew preparedness, pre-launch checks and vessel preparation with emphasise on water tight integrity before crossing the bar in or out.
viii. Understand how to negotiate different types of breakers.
f. Consult the local NSRI Base Coxswain
g. Check charts for the area of operation
i. Shift in channel
ii. Depth of water
Vessel to be fully operational:
h. Test steering prior to arrival at bar
i. Test and warm up engines during the run from launch site towards the bar
j. Crew to be wearing PFDs
k.Only surf launching skippers are allowed not to wear kill switch.
4. BROCHURES
The following brochure is also available from SAMSA offices to provide further guidance on the crossing the bar:
5. REPORTING OF INCIDENTS:
Skippers are reminded of their obligation as outlined in MN 8 of 2011 to report any incident to SAMSA within 24 hours of occurrence, on the form provided.
10 December 2020
SM6/5/2/1
Issued by and obtainable from:
The South African Maritime Safety Authority
146 Lunnon Road
Hillcrest, Pretoria 0083
PO Box 13186
Hatfield 0028
Tel: +27 12 366 2600
Fax: +27 12 366 2601
E-mail: marinenotices@samsa.org.za
Web Site: www.samsa.org.za