Boaties warned of ‘significant’ change at Karitane estuary bar

Anyone wanting to use a boat at Karitane this weekend has been warned the bar at the entrance to the estuary has changed significantly.

The Otago Regional Council has recommended boaties check the conditions and seek local advice before attempting to cross.

It was also essential everyone on board any boat was wearing a lifejacket.

Council harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook said it was hard to know how much the bar had changed, so caution was needed.

"Bars are tricky, dangerous areas to navigate, and they do change from day to day, given different weather elements and effects."