Two fishing boats from Riverton battle their way through and over the Greymouth Bar after the river flooded from heavy rains which had hit the area over the previous 24 hours. The bar is one of the most dangerous bars in New Zealand.
Curious how NOT to capsize your fishing vessel in heavy seas?
New Zealand journalist Geoff Mackley decided to visit the infamous Greymouth Bar, grab the saltiest old sea-captain he could find; an unintelligible yet undeniably talented Kiwi fisherman, and ask that very question. The dialogue in this video is impossible to understand but, trust us, amid the profanity is secret to heavy surf shiphandling.
“This incredible footage was first shown on New Zealand news that night. We were filming the river mouth for a documentary channel when we saw these two boats approach. There have been many deaths over the years and we were amazed that they made it.” said Geoff Mackley
My favorite part? When the old salt watches the boat get swamped and says “She’ll be ’right, ow. Bob’s your uncle.”
Love that guy!
About John Konrad
Captain John Konrad is the founder and CEO of gCaptain and author of the book Fire On The Horizon. John is a USCG licensed Master of Unlimited Tonnage, has sailed a variety of ships from ports around the world and is a distinguished alumnus of SUNY Maritime College.
