Dangerous Merimbula bar claims another boat

In a twist of irony, the 4.8-metre half cab's capsize occurred just as NSW Maritime kicked off a safety and compliance campaign called Operation Safe Return focusing on bar crossings.

The NSW coastline has been battered by huge swells since Friday as a slow-moving high-pressure system. It is believed a breaking wave swamped and then flipped the boat as it was heading out across the bar.

“The three men, who are all related and range in age from 16 to 55, had attempted to cross the Merimbula coastal bar about 8am today despite the weather warning for hazardous surf conditions,” Transport for NSW acting executive director Andrew Mogg said in a statement released yesterday.

“All three of the men ended up in the water and were lucky enough to remain buoyant in the swell of at least two metres before they were rescued by surfers and taken to Main Beach, suffering only cuts.

Mogg said the eldest of the trio was trapped in the upturned cabin but managed to escape through the gunwale, narrowly averting a tragedy.

“This is not the fishing trip they had planned and all three are lucky to have survived," he said.

"All were wearing lifejackets which had recently been serviced; two inflatable lifejackets and a traditional foam lifejacket.”

Mogg said the incident showed how swell and large waves added to the risk of crossing a coastal bar where currents were already strong.

“Even in calm conditions, vessels can be swamped, damaged or wrecked on coastal bars," he said.

"Crossing a bar safely really does require a high level of skill and planning.

“Use all of the tools available to help you make your decision – watch the timing between sets of waves before you go out, don’t cross in a run-out tide, and be mindful of the swell," Mogg said.

“Most importantly, if you’re in any way in doubt, do not go out.”