NSW Maritime has invested in a $170,000 three year trial of web cameras at bar crossings along the NSW coast.

This follows the successful testing of the web cam technology at the Narooma bar in the second half of 2007.

The online technology is being used to provide early advice to boaters planning a bar crossing. Being able to view live online vision of bar conditions and weather forecasts will help people make more informed decisions when planning a trip.

Coastal bars are dynamic environments which have tragically claimed a number of lives over the years when boats are swamped or capsized. In too many cases, lives have been put at risk or lost when people have taken boats across bar crossings in adverse conditions.

However, if undecided about conditions, even using the footage, the best rule of thumb is still: If in doubt, don’t go out.

To establish the extended trial covering 15 coastal locations, NSW Maritime entered into an agreement with web camera provider Coastalwatch.

Six of the 15 web cameras were delivering online vision via www.maritime.nsw.gov.au by Easter;

• Coffs Harbour
• Narooma
• Port Macquarie
• Shoal Bay, Port Stephens
• Tweed Heads and
• Nobby's Beach, Newcastle

Other web cameras are to be located at: Manning River, Harrington; Swansea; Sussex Inlet; Moruya Heads; Merimbula Lake; Bermagui; Brunswick River; Richmond River, Ballina; Clarence River, Yamba and will be online over the coming months.

NSW Maritime has already introduced the compulsory wearing of lifejackets when crossing bars, improved signage, revised safety publications, reinforced bar safety messages within the new compulsory Boating Safety Course and stepped up on-water patrols. The addition of the online vision and information is part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness of safety at bars.

Since 1992, there have been more than 275 vessel incidents and 16 fatalities during attempted bar crossings. No bar crossing fatalities have been reported since 2005.

NSW Maritime has run a question poll at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au asking the boating community 'How would you rate the value of web camera information on coastal bars when planning a crossing?'. 80% of the responses received have been excellent. Feedback from email has also been extremely positive and many suggestions of improvement have been taken on board..