Department of Transport navigational safety and compliance manager Ray Buchholz said improvements to existing navigation markers and the installation of new ones in some areas had significantly increased safety.

“A total of 87 markers have been either fitted with synchronised lighting, upgraded or newly installed at a cost of $215,000 providing a much safer boating environment for the increasing number of vessels transiting the area at night,” Mr Buchholz said.

“The work focussed on the Yunderup Channel, Murray River, Serpentine River, Cox Bay, Harvey Bay and from the navigation marker Big Red to Windmill Point in the Peel Inlet.

“The completion of the upgrade in these areas marks the end of the first stage of a three-year program to improve navigation aids in the Peel region at a cost of $830,000.”

Mr Buchholz said boating traffic in the area had increased in recent times and various stakeholder and user groups including the Mandurah Boating Communities Group, Boating WA, the Department of Fisheries and the Water Police had expressed support for the improvements.

“The LED synchronised rhythmic lighting that has been installed is solar powered and has enhanced visibility, even in areas where there is background lighting.”

The project was implemented as part of the department 2010/11 Navigation Aid Capital Works Plan.

The department is responsible for developing and maintaining an extensive network of navigation aids within WA waters to provide safe passage for recreational and commercial vessels.

For more information about the program go to transport.wa.gov.au/marine or call 9431 1025.