Shark Spotting in Aus...
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Shark Spotting in Aus...
Hi guys and gals, i tried google and haven't been able to find what i am after.
I am hoping some of you out there may know:
1. If shark spotting still occurs, where?
2. If it is conducted in fixed wing?
3. If anyone knows who conducts these operations?
Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
I am hoping some of you out there may know:
1. If shark spotting still occurs, where?
2. If it is conducted in fixed wing?
3. If anyone knows who conducts these operations?
Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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There was a clip on Sky News showing an orange and yellow Partenavia on shark patrol.
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There was or is a 337 out of Essendon doing it and a Microflite EC120 at Moorabbin, both in Westpac colour schemes. It's not just shark spotting as you put it, they perform numerous other tasks. You pretty much need to be employed by the flying school or charter operator that runs them and the queue is usually fairly long.
And, currently being done by a chopper in WA, for the School Hols anyway, then likely to revert to week-ends and Pub. Hols.
Has been done by a fixed wing in the past - a local university's 172 flown by graduates.
Hope this helps.
Has been done by a fixed wing in the past - a local university's 172 flown by graduates.
Hope this helps.
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There is an article on the two beach patrol/shark spotting helicopters in WA if you scroll odwn the page a bit:
AviationWA
Regards,
David
AviationWA
Regards,
David
Shark Patrol
During the Summers of 1967-68 and 69, I flew the Shark Patrol aircraft up and down the coast of Sydney from Palm Beach to Cronulla every weekend with the public holiday tacked on. This was for the Sydney Radio Station, 2SM.
The aircraft was a Cessna C172, VH-ARK, which we called "Ark the Shark"
We had quite a few sightings. On board the "ARK" we had a very loud siren fitted to the bulkhead to warn swimmers and a radio transmitter on the back seat. With this we had instant contact with 2SM and could transmit direct over the airwaves, this was done by one of the 2SM disc jockeys, who would come along on every flight. The majority of bathers on the beaches tuned into 2SM, good thinking 2SM.
My Airways Clearance was a ripper, it was always, " A R K maintain East of the coast, not above 500 feet and report OPS. normal on the hour and half hour".
It was a great 3 summers.
angry ant
The aircraft was a Cessna C172, VH-ARK, which we called "Ark the Shark"
We had quite a few sightings. On board the "ARK" we had a very loud siren fitted to the bulkhead to warn swimmers and a radio transmitter on the back seat. With this we had instant contact with 2SM and could transmit direct over the airwaves, this was done by one of the 2SM disc jockeys, who would come along on every flight. The majority of bathers on the beaches tuned into 2SM, good thinking 2SM.
My Airways Clearance was a ripper, it was always, " A R K maintain East of the coast, not above 500 feet and report OPS. normal on the hour and half hour".
It was a great 3 summers.
angry ant
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Like Ex FSO Griffo said, in Perth I used to do it in a C172RG. It was good fun despite the early starts.
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.
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 is still an ongoing trial in NSW with a Helicopter and FW aircraft patrolling between Newcastle and Ulladulla. It's an R44, a PN-68TC and a C-182P.
The fixed wing aircraft are fitted with sirens, loud speakers, surf radios, police radios etc. for warning swimmers. They also did do live crosses to radio stations in the past, I don't know if that still goes on now though.
The fixed wing aircraft are fitted with sirens, loud speakers, surf radios, police radios etc. for warning swimmers. They also did do live crosses to radio stations in the past, I don't know if that still goes on now though.
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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.
“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."
“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."
“They can fly at varying heights and hover to investigate and pinpoint locations with GPS technology.”
Yer can get a cheap little strut mounted gimbal FLIR/SWIR/visual camera for a cessna that can give a GPS position of a swimer. If spam can number one goes unservicable just swap the gimbal camera to spam can number two. Cheaper, and less annoying, then havin a woptering wockter dronning up and down the beach.
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Shark Patrols
The mob down in Wollongong operate a Partenavia and a C182, but I believe that a government trail was undertaken last year to evaluate the effectiveness of the fixed wing compared to rotary wing aircraft (R44). I heard that numerous photos had to be deleted off the government issued cameras as the "Spotters" were taking photos through hotel resort windows rather than actually looking for the rubber sharks which were placed off beaches up and down the coast. As with most Volunteer organisations it is full of "hobby hacks" who's lives revolve around the organisation, which makes life difficult at times. If your looking for easy hour building and you can sell your soul, integrity and turn a blind eye to some rather questionable practices, and finally put with a 
of a CP then give it a go. Why not?????
of a CP then give it a go. Why not?????
Sell your soul? That cant be right. I didn't have one left to sell as the ADF claimed mine years ago! 
The photo thing absolutely did not occur. All photos were numbered, could not be deleted and still exist. There were no inappropriate photos of that nature. The trial is still ongoing, it ends next week.
Volunteer organisations attract volunteers, subsequently quality varies. Many are very professional and skilled operators (Many current and ex-ADF aircrew).
They do, like all volunteer organizations, run on a tight budget. If you want to know more call Harry on (02) 4457 3200 Mon-Thurs.
The photo thing absolutely did not occur. All photos were numbered, could not be deleted and still exist. There were no inappropriate photos of that nature. The trial is still ongoing, it ends next week.
Volunteer organisations attract volunteers, subsequently quality varies. Many are very professional and skilled operators (Many current and ex-ADF aircrew).
They do, like all volunteer organizations, run on a tight budget. If you want to know more call Harry on (02) 4457 3200 Mon-Thurs.
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don't do 'official' shark patrols...
but....
last weekend there were dozens of them in the shallows of northern tassie...
significantly 'long' even from 1500'...
i'd estimate 6-8foot on average, occasional bigger...
but....
last weekend there were dozens of them in the shallows of northern tassie...
significantly 'long' even from 1500'...
i'd estimate 6-8foot on average, occasional bigger...
