Incidents on the bar

❚ 2016: A kayaker got into trouble on the sandbar and was thrown around by the waves. Three men threw a lifebuoy into the water and dragged him in. His struggle was captured on video. ❚ 2013: Fishing boat Lady Anna capsized when it hit the bar, claiming the life of Nicholas Brett Eklund. ❚ 2011: Two Riverton skippers were issued with improvement notices by Maritime NZ for crossing the bar when a flashing blue light at the breakwater warned them the bar was too dangerous to cross. ❚ 2000: Two men died when Te Anau fishing boat Koromiko rolled. ❚ 1867: Bruce Bay in South Westland, was named after a paddle steamer called Bruce that brought gold miners from northern ports. The steamer was wrecked on the bar in 1867.