Sunshine Coast trawler nearly capsizes crossing the bar near Mooloolah River mouth

WATCH THE VIDEO: The Coast Guard Mooloolaba has warned boaties to take caution near the Mooloolah River mouth after another near miss.

At least five vessels have been caught out crossing the treacherous bar near the entrance to Mooloolah River in the past fortnight, prompting a warning from Coast Guard Mooloolaba.

Flotilla Commander Ian Hunt said the issue stemmed from a build up of sand from weather events which filled up the channel.

Mr Hunt said in the past two weeks alone at least five vessels including a Coast Guard rescue boat had bottomed out in the shallow waters.

One yacht was damaged after it became stranded on the bar and was pummelled by waves.

“We’ve had tinnies turned over, a couple of yachts ran aground and then we had this trawler go through,” Mr Hunt said.

“When the sand comes in it fills up the channel and that’s where you hit the bottom.

“Whenever there’s a bit of swell it can be dangerous.”

A video taken by Jane Horne and sent into the Coast Guard shows vision of the trawler nearly capsizing from the swell.

Mr Hunt said one of the rescue boats bottomed out when towing in a stranded yacht last week.

“The yacht had damage to its drive shaft when he over revved it trying to get unstuck from the sand,” Mr Hunt said.

“He broke the coupling and disabled it.

“Then when we towed it in our keel hit the bottom and so did the yacht’s.”

Mr Hunt said until a more permanent solution was available he advised boaties to take care or stay away from the entrance.

More information about the swell and dangers of crossing the bar can be found on the Coast Guard Mooloolaba’s social media.