Rock fishing is a favourite past time of many fisherman on the south-coast. The rewards of catching great fish can come with great danger of being swept out to sea by a rouge wave.
Many fisherman, even those who take great precautions, have lost their lives pursuing their love of this sport and it is now that these safety systems have been installed.
From RecFishWest.org.au
“The Nathan Drew Memorial Trust has installed Silent Sentry systems at six high-risk locations which include Salmon Holes near Albany, Lowlands Beach east, Lowlands Beach west, Bum Rock and the Deeps in the Lowlands Reserve.
The Silent Sentry system contains three ball floats surrounded by rope netting and a handle attached to hold onto. The floats can be accessed by pushing the retaining lever to one side.
Once this lever is pushed to access the floats a signal is sent out that contacts the local police, the WA Water Police and the Trust so that local Police can immediately initiate rescue operations. The Trust has estimated that the time between the lever being activated and the local police being informed should not exceed 5 minutes.
Since the installation of the first Silent Sentry system in 2004, they have helped to save the lives of three rock fishers in the south west.”
Worth a read for all rock fishermen
http://www.coastalsafety.com.au