• Monitor the:
  
  – prevailing wind
  – wave pattern timing, that is, look for sets
  – course to follow
  – bartraffic
  – alternate routes.
  
• Motor slowly toward the breaking waves looking for the area where waves break least or not at all.
  
• If there seems no break in the waves, slowly power through each oncoming wave. • Ensure that you are not going too fast over each wave as this would cause the vessel to ‘bottom out’ if it dives heavily.
  
• If possible, make the crossing with the waves slightly on the bow so that the vessel gently rolls over the crest of each wave.
  
• When approaching from sea, increase power of the vessel to catch up to the bigger set of waves and position the vessel on the back of a wave. Do not surf down the face of a wave

More advice at transportsafety.vic.gov.au/msv/ocean-bars

Crossing bars can be dangerous. Make sure you are adequately prepared. If in doubt, don’t go out.