Closed Bar

smells fishy · 05-20-2005, 03:01 PM

I was wondering sense the bar is closed to recreational boats this weekend does that mean the big (52') charter boats wont go out?

Mark Mc · 05-20-2005, 03:08 PM

It depends on.....

- how bad it really is
- how brazen the skipper is
- how the skipper's bank account looks (OK not all use this criteria, but some do).

USCG Yaquina Bay · 05-20-2005, 03:08 PM

Your best bet is to check with the charter company, if their boat is an Inspected Vessel (they'll know what your are talking about), the Restriction does not apply to them. Currently the Bar (Newport) is Restricted to All Recreational and Uninspected Vessels (regardless of size). R

smells fishy · 05-20-2005, 03:26 PM

Thank for the info USCG & MC.

Nalu · 05-20-2005, 04:33 PM

If the bar is closed to all recreational and ALL uninspected then chances are it's not a day that I would want to be fishing aboard any boat. Taking safety out of the equation, who wants to get the crap beat out of them? Fishing is supposed to be fun!

Finnlander · 05-20-2005, 06:00 PM

Just heard tomorrows report.....0ne foot or less in the Gulf Stream.Going out for swordfish after a month sabbaticle!!!

CrazyFish · 05-20-2005, 06:21 PM

Quote:

It depends on.....

- how bad it really is
- how brazen the skipper is
- how the skipper's bank account looks (OK not all use this criteria, but some do).

Quote:

if their boat is an Inspected Vessel (they'll know what your are talking about), the Restriction does not apply to them. Currently the Bar (Newport) is Restricted to All Recreational and Uninspected Vessels (regardless of size). R

I'm not to sure that these 2 go well together. Let's not forget the charter that went down at Garibaldi a couple of years ago, they were an inspected vessel and the bar was restriced to all rec. and uninspected if I remember right.
I can understand commercial fishing boats being exempt from bar restrictions (Captian and crew know the risk), but charters carry people who don't always know how much risk there is.

IMO if the coast gaurd is going to close a bar for the general public then that should include any vessels carring the general public (but thats my opinion).

jigmaster · 05-20-2005, 06:33 PM

The Puker boats went out today. Got their limits, were escorted in by their mothers..USCG..Thanks to the Coasties...They save lives

You had to see the jaws of the bar to know what I'm saying..Respect Mother Nature....

Nalu · 05-20-2005, 07:52 PM

There's been more than one occasion that we've been escorted across the bar by the Coasties while we were running 30+ and 40+ charter boats. Everytime, this took place we were thankful for the escort and reassured knowing that they were there.

This is not to say that they HAD to be there for safety, nor that the conditions were unsafe on the way out, or the way in for a qualified skipper in a solid boat. Many times the only limiting factor is the bar, and the ocean outside is just fine for both fishing and plenty safe.

And for the record, we never, not once REQUESTED an escort across the bar. Everytime, they were already there. We would stand by just south and outside the S. Jetty at Garibaldi (in the charter boat lineup). We would time the swells, and get ready when it was our "turn". We would then notify the lifeboat that we were ready to proceed across and at the next break would be hitting the throttle. As we came across, the CG would be just off our port running even with us until we got fully inside. Once across we communicated our thanks, and they headed back to do the same for the next boat.

We never had a close call on the bar during any of these crossings, and not once have I ever felt unsafe on an escorted crossing. I wouldn't trade the security of having the great men and women of the Coast Guard by our side for anything, but an escort does not neccesarily mean it is an "unsafe" crossing, or the charter boat shouldn't have been out.

For what it's worth, the only close call I've ever had on the bar was on a completely open bar, unrestricted to vessels of ANY size, recreational or not. Since it was "so nice" we came across the bar in a shallower section (the north side of the Tillamook Bar) than we normally did. At that exact time, a sneaker wave came out of nowhere to lift our 40+ foot boat and start us surfing. The wave just barely rolled under us before it broke. SCARY.

USCG Yaquina Bay · 05-20-2005, 09:32 PM

Nalu - Thanks for the feedback, we like be on the bar when there is a restriction on it, especially when someone is coming across. It doesn't matter if they requested us or not, we figure that we are in a better position to respond (if needed) there than to have to launch from the station. Most operators are very careful when crossing a bar, and often when something happens, it is not due to a judgement error but a mechanical malfunction. R

Nalu · 05-20-2005, 09:50 PM

USCG Yaquina Bay- All I can say is THANK YOU! You and the crews at each station have my eternal thanks and gratitude for the services you render each and every day! I've been towed in with mechanical failure, escorted across in poor conditions, had friends have customers plucked from the deck by the helo, and been waved at just about every morning as I headed out to sea, knowing that if I had a problem, that same crew would be racing towards me.

I have no greater respect and admiration for any branch of the services than I do for the Coast Guard. You make each and every day better for those of us that spend even a small amount of time out on the open seas. You and your crews Sir, are truly heroes, and I thank you.

smells fishy · 05-21-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

USCG Yaquina Bay- All I can say is THANK YOU! You and the crews at each station have my eternal thanks and gratitude for the services you render each and every day! I've been towed in with mechanical failure, escorted across in poor conditions, had friends have customers plucked from the deck by the helo, and been waved at just about every morning as I headed out to sea, knowing that if I had a problem, that same crew would be racing towards me.

I have no greater respect and admiration for any branch of the services than I do for the Coast Guard. You make each and every day better for those of us that spend even a small amount of time out on the open seas. You and your crews Sir, are truly heroes, and I thank you.

Very well said