Bay boaties are being given the chance to learn the skills needed to navigate the Kaituna bar this weekend.

The Maketu Coastguard will be offering a Bar Crossing Training Day which is available to all Coastguard members free of charge or at a cost of $85 to non-members on Sunday, November 20.

Those who attend will have the chance to meet the Maketu Coastguard crew, learn the theory and skills to cross river bars safely, attempt a safe crossing, and join the Coastguard if they are not already a member.

Maketu Coastguard president Shane Beech says it will be a good opportunity for coastguard members and the public to pick up some new skills.

'We have for different sessions or workshops happening,” he explains.

'One will be in our promotional caravan where we'll show a DVD on how to cross bars, and safety and equipment involved. That will be followd by familiarisation with the Kaituna bar itself, where we'll teach people what to look for, such as where the channel is.

'Then we'll go through the safety equipment on an onsite vessel, before taking people out on our rescue boat to actually cross the bar safely.”

There's no such thing as too much preparation, especially in light of a recent capsize on the bar. Shane says crossing any bar is dangerous, and preparation is key.

'It's very important. In our eyes it's the part of your fishing trip most likely to cause you trouble. Once you've crossed the bar and out on the open sea you're relatively safe.”

If the weather is unsuitable on the day, the event will take place on December 4.

Register by emailing maketucoastguard@gmail.com, or phone 021 139 3598.