Eventually it was deemed that a chopper would do a better job. Not sure of the exact reasons for this as I had moved on.
There's an explanation of why the helicopters took over from the Cessna 172RG - in this extract from a State Government media release (5 December 2008), when the helicopter took over (at the time it was JetRanger VH-BIN):
“In past years, aerial shark surveillance patrols by fixed-wing aircraft have been part of the overall strategy to minimise the risk of shark attacks at our beaches,” Mr Barnett said.
“This year, we will still be responding to shark activity or sightings at metropolitan beaches, using the Surf Lifesaving WA helicopter to assess situations.”
Earlier this year the Shark Hazard Committee, which has the job of assessing the effectiveness of shark hazard mitigation strategies, recommended a change from fixed-wing aircraft to helicopter to improve beach safety services to the community.
“We all know how successfully media choppers have been able to find sharks, sighted near our beaches,” the Premier said.
“Manoeuvrability and good viewing options for the crew on the Surf Lifesaving helicopter will provide the same opportunities in this dedicated service for Perth beaches.
“They can fly at varying heights and hover to investigate and pinpoint locations with GPS technology.”
The Shark Hazard Committee found helicopter surveillance was superior to fixed-wing patrols and the State Government put available funding towards a new mix of strategies providing an opportunity to work in partnership with Surf Lifesaving WA, enabling that body to add shark hazard response to its range of beach safety services.
Significantly, the helicopter will be able to respond and provide assistance to surf lifesavers in a far greater range of situations, including shark monitoring and responses to shark sightings, which will form part of the wider range of patrol activities.
Mr Barnett thanked Edith Cowan University educators, student pilots and observers for their work on previous fixed-wing patrols."