AERIAL shark patrols will begin this weekend, a fortnight earlier than usual, in a move prompted by the series of attacks along the New South Wales coast over the past year.
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As council lifeguards and Surf Life Savers launched the swimming season on Friday, the Bendigo Bank Aerial Patrol flew over with April Hockey and Michael Usher, last year’s junior Life Savers of the Year, in the cabin.
Aerial Patrol general manager Harry Mitchell said the organisation was in for a busy season.
“Aerial patrols together the resources of beach safety providers and the NSW Government’s shark meshing at four Wollongong and norther suburbs beaches, provide a level of comfort to surfers and swimmers,” he said.
The flags will be up on all 17 of Wollongong’s patrolled beaches, with the number of people visiting the region’s beaches increasing dramatically over recent years.
“I’m looking forward to a safe, happy and fun season down at the beach for everyone that visits our region,” Surf Life Saving Illawarra executive officer Carl Nottage said at the launch.
