The Illawarra and Shoalhaven’s coastal bars may offer access to some of the region’s most popular waterways, but Marine Rescue NSW is reminding boaters they can quickly become dangerous if conditions are misjudged.

With the summer holiday period underway, Marine Rescue NSW Illawarra Inspector Stuart Massey is urging skippers to take extra care when crossing the Lake Illawarra Bar, Crookhaven River Bar and Sussex Inlet Bar.

Boaters looking to cross coastal bars should stand off, check the conditions and then decide whether it is safe to proceed

Inspector Massey said coastal bars demand patience and preparation, particularly for visiting boaters unfamiliar with local conditions.

“Boaters looking to cross coastal bars should stand off, check the conditions and then decide whether it is safe to proceed,” he said.

“It is best to cross on a run-in tide because there are fewer compression waves.”

Each bar behaves differently depending on weather, swell and tides, and local knowledge can make a critical difference.

3500 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers are ready to assist boaters on the state's waterways this holiday season

Marine Rescue NSW is encouraging boaters to seek advice from their nearest unit before attempting a crossing.

“The decision and responsibility to proceed always remain with the skipper,” Inspector Massey said.

“If you’re holidaying at another coastal location and plan to cross a bar, please do your homework and never put yours or your passengers’ lives in danger.”

Mistakes on coastal bars can have serious consequences, with capsized vessels turning a routine outing into a life-threatening emergency within minutes.

Inspector Massey said wearing a lifejacket at all times is essential.

“If something does go wrong, stay with the vessel and grab hold of anything floating,” he said.

Beyond bar crossings, Marine Rescue NSW says many callouts across the Illawarra Shoalhaven could be avoided with better preparation.

From Port Kembla to Kioloa, more than half of incidents attended by volunteers are caused by engine or battery problems, or vessels running out of fuel.

“These are preventable issues,” Inspector Massey said. “Every safe trip starts before you hit the water.”

Skippers are advised to check safety equipment before departure and continue to assess conditions throughout their trip, as weather can change rapidly along the coast.

This summer, more than 400 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers will be on duty across seven local units — Port Kembla, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet, Ulladulla and Kioloa — operating rescue vessels and radio rooms.

Last summer, between December 1 and February 28, volunteers across the region carried out 196 search and rescue missions, including 78 emergency responses, returning 446 people safely to shore.

During that period, crews also monitored almost 4,000 vessels that had Logged On with Marine Rescue NSW.

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers are ready at any hour

Acting Commissioner Todd Andrews said Logging On before heading out remains one of the simplest and most effective safety measures boaters can take.

“When a boater Logs On, they share details of their trip and expected return time,” he said.

“If they don’t return as planned, a search will be initiated. Logging On saves vital time in an emergency.”

Boaters can Log On via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or on VHF channel 16.

Andrews said choosing to delay or cancel a trip in poor conditions should be seen as good seamanship.

“If you’re unsure, don’t go out,” he said. “We want people to enjoy their time on the water and get home safely.”

Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organisation supporting boating safety and local communities across the state.