Beneath the keel lurks an ever-shifting sand bar. The bar is constantly changing. But by the 1840s they had reversed that decision and centred Auckland City on the Waitemata Harbour, despite that meaning ships had to take a longer route around North Cape. Tie down any loose objects such as anchor, and ropes. Its best if you can head out with an experienced local on a calm day too, to get a feel for it. How to fish Auckland's west coast - NZ Fishing World Remember you MUSTclose your Bar Crossing Report once you're safely over the bar. Trying to cross this in any boat can be extremely dangerous in fact, some of NZs worst maritime disasters have occurred when vessels have been swamped going or coming back over a bar. The Manukau Cruising Club, the Manukau Sportfishing Club and the Laingholm and Huia Fishing Clubs all have numerous members who have completed the crossing multiple times and if you intend to become a regular bar-hopper it would be a good idea to join one of these. He is rightly proud of the organisation's rapid response times and a very good record for successful rescues without fatalities. Of the 259 on board, 189 died. The man, who the Herald has agreed not to name, said he helped clean up life jackets and other wreckage from the boat. Dont cross it and instead stay in the harbour. First thing tho, gotta negotiate the bar. But beforerescuers could reach the strickenvessel, the mizzen mast fell. When the ship arrived inside the Bar, the master observed the wave conditions and began the crossing. Police, along with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Maritime NZ, Surf Life Saving NZ, Coastguard and St John Ambulance responded to the incident. Photo / Hayden Woodward. On June 29, for the first time in 18 years, the tide flowed through only the historic northern entranceand it has done so ever since. "There would be another 100 [boats] that didn't radio in.". coastguard.nz/boating-safely/coastguard-app-the-boaties-best-mate/, A Coastguard New Zealand patrol boat on Manukau Harbour supplied by Coastguard NZ, Green light for rail, red light for locals, From books to civil defence helping out in times of need. Most recreational boating accidents happened suddenly, and people were in the water before they had time to use emergency equipment not already worn. Make sure your boat is capable of making the crossing. The toughest job was moving the lengths of steel pipe used to suck up the sand slurrya task done by hand with the aid of planks as levers. Mather considers the code ofpractice a good idea, but thinksit will take more than a document to get fishermen to change their attitude to bars. Inquiry launched into Manukau Harbour boating tragedy; man - NZ Herald Some locals come to the tip heads when its rough to watch the fishing boats do this.