Five films have been produced to educate boaties on how to safely cross local bars.

The films are a joint project by Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Waikato Regional Council to make the 'riskiest of navigation actions” safer for boaties.

ACC, Maritime NZ and Coastguard provided funding to produce the films, costing $70,000, which walk boaties through key safety steps to ensure a safer bar crossing.

The films feature Bowentown, Kaituna and Maketu bars in the Bay of Plenty and Raglan and Tairua bars in the Waikato region.

Bay of Plenty regional harbourmaster Peter Buell says because of the risks involved in bar crossings, the two councils were keen to get as much information as possible to boaties, before the summer boating season begins.

'We want to teach people to make these crossings safely and the films will help people improve their boating behaviour in these dangerous situations.

'The films make it clear that there are three types of bar crossings – dangerous, very dangerous and extremely dangerous.”

Boaties are advised to check the weather within 12 hours of a trip, check the tide, alwaysavoid a low or ebb tide, talk to locals about bar conditions and contact Coastguard before and after making the crossing.

Everyone needs to wear a lifejacket, and loose items including anchors need to be tied down, says Peter.

'As always, if in doubt don't go out.”