Helicopters will guard beaches from Yanchep to Mandurah and Rottnest.
Camera IconHelicopters will guard beaches from Yanchep to Mandurah and Rottnest. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Surf Life Saving WA helicopter patrols return to protect beachgoers

Jessica NicoCockburn Gazette

BEACHES on the Cockburn and Fremantle coast now have an extra level of protection for swimmers after the Surf Life Saving WA helicopter patrol relaunched this month.

The service restarted on September 1 and will operate between Port Bouvard, Yanchep and Rottnest Island on weekends until October 1, when they will move to daily patrols until the end of April.

WA premier Mark McGowan said last year’s patrols ran for seven weeks longer than usual, covering more than 100,000km and spotting more than 500 sharks.

“With spring and the warmer weather starting to set in, we expect to see Western Australians once again embrace our beautiful beaches for some fun in the sun.

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“Our Surf Life Saving volunteers do an incredible job and have become such a prominent feature on our beaches.

“The State Government-funded helicopters are also such an important surveillance tool to help keep our community safe, whether it be from a rip or sharks.”