New navigational aids for Abrolhos Islands

28/11/02
Navigating the treacherous waters around the Houtman Abrolhos Islands will be a lot easier and safer this summer, due to the installation of new navigational aids and the production of new nautical charts.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said today the new aids were part of a State Government program managed by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, to increase the safety of vessels visiting and working in the area.
"Around 500 fishing and charter boats operate out of the Mid-West region and many of them focus their daily activities on the Abrolhos," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The department also has recently completed the installation of eleven navigational aids for the part of the islands known as the Easter Group and the preparation of a nautical chart for this area is nearing completion," she said.
Last year, the Department produced the first detailed nautical chart for the Houtman Abrolhos and implemented the first stage of the navigational aid program - both for the waters around the islands known as the Wallabi Group.
"Even for experienced skippers these waters can be treacherous because of the wind conditions, swell, reefs and shallows," the Minister said.
"The navigational aid and nautical chart program is a practical way of improving the safe negotiation of these waters."
The project for the Easter Group cost $300,000 and involved prefabrication work in both Geraldton and Fremantle, while the installation was carried out by Dongara company Insitu Construction and Maintenance.
Ms MacTiernan said the third stage of the program, which would begin in 2003, would concentrate on the islands known as the Pelsaert Group.

Miniser's office: 9213 6400