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STEPS UP TO THE BAR T
WHAKATANE RESCUE II BY KEITH INGRAM
he fishing port of Whakatane is recognised as being one of the more challenging harbour bars on New Zealand's eastern coast.
Not only does it have some very menacing rocks on the eastern side of the entrance and a sandbank on the western side, but also it has a very inconsiderate rock not far off to the western side to trap the unwary.
While the period of risk is relatively short in comparison with most bar crossings, with only some 50m width of navigable waters, it is widely respected by all mariners after claiming the lives of many hapless souls who have got it wrong over the years.
Coastguard Whakatane has its origins as a Marine Radio
Association, with the first marine radio service being started in 1950 by Hugh and Joyce Brabant for local fishermen. The Marine Radio Association and the subsequent Sea Rescue association that were formed separately in the early 1970s were to later merged in 1975 to become what is now known as Coastguard Whakatane. With a membership of almost 1200, Coastguard Whakatane is the third largest Coastguard unit in New Zealand. Its area of operation extends from Town Point (Maketu) in the west to Cape Runaway in the east and to 12 miles offshore behind White Island. Two issues are always present in search and rescue operations – the lack of any shelter except for White Island and the Whakatane River bar. The river bar might not extend very far but it is a notorious piece of water that continues to claim many vessels and, sadly, lives. To complicate matters, the Thornton River bar and the Ohiwa Harbour bar are both in close proximity. Each
18 Professional Skipper March/April 2012
