Excerpted from "Boating in Coastal Waters"

Crossing the Bar

Most boating accidents and fatalities on the coastal bars result from capsizing. A boat is much more apt to capsize when crossing the bar from the ocean because the seas are on the stern and the operator has less control of the steerage. When looking at the bar from seaward, you don't see the front of the seas or breakers; consequently, the bar may appear much calmer than it really is.

Boaters should take every precaution when uncertain about bar conditions. Radio the Coast Guard or call another boat operator who can tell what the bar condition is. If necessary, circle the sea buoy, but make every effort to avoid danger.

Stability, a vital factor for boats cruising in coastal waters, can be aided by proper loading. An improperly loaded or overloaded craft is susceptible to capsizing. Overloading increases the risk of seas breaking aboard. It is extremely important that boats operating along the coast have adequate freeboard.

If you are caught unexpectedly on a rough bar when running in, it is imperative to keep the boat square before the seas. Keep the boat on the back of a swell. Ride the swell and keep clear of the following wave. Preserving your boat's stability is most important - a sudden shift of the passengers' weight in a small boat could prove dangerous. In fact,  

stability will be vastly improved in a small boat if passengers lie down in the bottom of the boat as near the center line as possible. Make sure everyone aboard is wearing a personal flotation device before crossing.

Most boating accidents on the coastal bars are caused by boat operators allowing seas to catch their boats from the side, a situation called broaching, which can result in capsizing. To prevent broaching, keep the boat square before the seas. The illustration below shows a boat about to broach.

The coastal waters of Oregon always carry a large number of drifting logs and deadheads, especially after storms, spring freshets, and unusually high tides. Boaters should always be on the lookout for logs, deadheads, and other floating debris.

Boat crossing swell

This boat is showing the correct way to maneuver into a wave.

Illustration by Sue Crawford

Danger

Daytime Signal | Night Signal

One RED pennant is displayed by day and a RED light over a WHITE light at night to indicate winds as high as 33 knots (38 m.p.h.) or sea conditions considered dangerous to small craft operations are forecast for the area.

Gale

Gale

Daytime Signal | Night SignalTwo RED pennants are displayed by day and a WHITE light above a RED light at night to indicate that winds within the range 34 to 47 knots (39 to 54 m.p.h.) are forecast for the area.

Storm

Storm

Daytime Signal | Night Signal

A single RED flag with a BLACK center is displayed during daytime, and two RED lights at night are displayed to indicate that winds 48 knots (55 m.p.h.) and above are forecast for the area. If the winds are associated with a tropical cyclone (hurricane), the "Storm Warning" display indicates that winds 48 to 63 knots (55 to 73 m.p.h.) are forecast.