Ebb tides ... bar crossing

[Pilar]

I've watched the 'disaster' play out on the media and here on the board. Pray for the families and learn from what happened. We should leave that alone and focus on how to keep our people safe and happy. There have been a few close calls in our tribe and happily only a boat or two was lost. No people yet.

I think plenty has been said about charters, pressure to make money and bar restrictions. Lets leave that behind and talk about small boats and crossing the bar. Lets focus on keeping our group safe and anyone else that reads and heeds.

You have seen me state here many times to avoid the ebb tide. I base that general warning on some first hand experience and observations of things that happen during ebb conditions. Let me make it crystal clear for any doubters out there. The 'Ebb' often includes the first part of flood. It takes a while for the bar to lay down after it spends 4 to 6 hours raging and breaking. So consult your tide tables. Look for maximum bar conditions on the full and new moons, the times of maximum exchange and largest tides. Also look for maximum bar conditions during the months of spring runoff, May, June.

If you want to be absolutely sure plan your bar crossing for an hour after low slack and return at high slack. At some bars (CR and Garibaldi) the tides and the times involved absolutely override any other concerns. Also you must plan for deteriorating ocean conditions and an emergency return. How would you get back if your trip occurred while the tide was ebbing?

Good points on lifejacket use. I would expound on that part of it but I am the worst offender. I can only remember a few times that I felt compelled to wear mine. That has to change.

The ocean will kill you, to forget that is to commit the sin of complacency.

[Miss B Haven]

Pilar- If I can do it, you can do it. Either a float coat (when it's cold and wet) or a suspender for warm and dry weather. :smile:

Currents (from Tides and Currents Sat June 14) at T-bay entrance:
Max ebb about 3 1/2 knots current running from 3 am to 5 am. At 7 am, still 2 1/2 knots ebb current. 7:30am - about a knot and a 1/2. Slack current wasn't until about 8:30. Water didn't really start coming back over the bar until 9am.

[Popeye]

FYI....If anyone is departing from Newport, and is not sure what the tides are doing, give me a call on 78 or stop by the boat. The computer & software that I have on board gives me "Real Time" tidal information ie; total ft. of drop or rise, current tide speed, where in the cycle it is, etc. There is no need to wonder...I definately don't mind! I truly believe that it's IMPOSSIBLE to be an EXPERT in the ocean, but the more informed we are, the closer we tip the scales toward a safe return. As they used to say on NYPD Blue.....Guys....Let's be safe out there!

[Phil Layer]

Thanks for the offer, Popeye. I'll take you up on that.

Can your software predict the tide for Thursday morning at oh dark thirty this far in advance? I think there will be a bunch of us going out at that time.

[Steelerdan]

Pilar or anyone Could you explain ebb tides for me I know this may be a stupid question but I'm trying to learn. This tragidy has opened my eyes even more to what can happen and how fast it can happen.Thank you in advance.

[Miss B Haven]

Ebb simply means outgoing. "Max Ebb" is when the current is running out the strongest, normally near the center of the outging. Flood is the incoming tide/current.
Spring tides are the large swings created at the full and new moon periods. Neap tides are the weenie swings and occur at the 1/4 moons.

Currents are slightly offset from the "hi and low" tide swings. The current will usually stil lcontinue to run out (ebb) even though the tide is at or past it's lowest poinht (or highest).
Think of it as a momentum thing like driving the boat. Even though you cut the throttle the boat continues onward for some time.

Good luck- be safe.

[Steelerdan]

Thanks Mel,I've got alot to learn

[Sensei-san]

There a lot of websites that offer tide predictions. And they are predictions. A lot of variables will factor into tidal conditions at any given moment. One of the best is:

http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/sites_uswest.html

It is very revealing to see the time of the accident at Garabaldi and the low tide for that day.

God rest those that died and God bless those that survived.

[kenai]

This one is my favorite. Note that it will predict tidal currents as well as tide levels. This can be much more useful in bar crossings, however the free version will only predict one day in advance. tidal currents I always consult it before a crossing at the CR or Tillamook Bay. I checked it Saturday and was amazed.

[CAPT KUJO]

Bar crossings are always dangerous. When ever I'm crossing the bar myself and all passengers are fully "zipped up" in drysuits. There's a reason for this.

CAPT KUJO

[CrazyFish]

I believe with that on any venture out of Tillamook Bay your most critical situation is the bar crossing (no matter how calm it is). When the bar is flat and the salmon are running I see a lot of boats trolling just outside the tips and this is where the big sneekers are usually first going to show themselves. Myself I don't like to fish in that area just because of that, I'll either fish inside or farther out away from the bar.

FYI:
I have marked the bottom between the tips and out 1/4 mile at 20'deep on a 1' low tide, Tillamook Bar is shallow and is drasticaly effected by booth large swells and a lot of ebb flow.

Pick your days, where your PDF's, and be safe.

[blubeast]

Thank you Pilar for the reminder. It's this type of knowledge sharing that makes me appreciate the Salty Dogs site more each day.

Popeye... thanks for the offer... I will be stopping by later this week for info on Sat.

[Hook'm&Book'm]

With all the talk about bar crossings, I came across this post. Thought it may be good for some to take a look at.