Beach helicopter patrols return ahead of summer

Surf Life Saving WA’s (SLSWA) Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service will return to the West Australian coastline today, guarding over beachgoers until April 2025.

Last season, between September 2023 and April 2024, the helicopters flew nearly 1,000 hours across 741 patrols over metropolitan and south west beaches.

Surf Life Saving WA General Manager of Lifesaving, Chris Peck, said that the helicopters played an essential role in helping to deliver safe outcomes for beach users.

“While Western Australia is renowned for its vast coastline and beautiful beaches, it also provides additional challenges for delivering lifesaving services and helping keep beach users safe,” said Mr Peck.

“The helicopters can provide coverage to beaches where we cannot deliver on-beach patrols, including many locations in our south west, and their ability to cover large areas of the coast quickly makes them a valuable asset in delivering safety outcomes.”

Last season, the Service was involved in 27 search and rescue missions and was instrumental in rescuing a stranded fisherman off Carnac Island in March.

The Service also reported a 46% increase in shark sightings* along with a 42% increase in the number of beach users cleared from the water due to an alert issued by the helicopter.

“We know that the helicopters play an integral role in minimising shark and beach user interactions, demonstrated by the volume of sightings and resultant clearances over recent seasons,” said Mr Peck.

“We want West Australians to be able to confidently recreate and enjoy our magnificent coastline, and we know this service helps them do that.”

Westpac, which has supported the Service since it was first established in WA in 1980, welcomed the return of the helicopters as the season begins.

Westpac State General Manager Larissa Shepherd said that last season’s stats painted a clear picture that the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service does an incredible job of keeping watch over the community as they enjoy the beautiful coast.

“On behalf of Westpac, we wish the crew the best of luck this season and say thanks for keeping us safe.”.

Based out of North Fremantle and Busselton, the helicopters will commence patrols today through until 30^th  April 2025.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service is proudly supported by the Government of Western Australia and partnered by Westpac.

*The number of occasions sharks have been sighted, individually or in schools.

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Click here for the full 2024/25 season patrol dates for SLSWA’s Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service.