Buoy upgrade for ‘difficult’ channel

Sticks Channel, Mandurah, Western Australia will have 14 new lit navigation aids that will assist skippers operating in the area, which is known for its problematic and shallow water.

Each new marker will be lit, significantly enhancing recreational and commercial boating safety in the area both during day and night, says the Australian Department of Transport (DoT).

The existing channel separation marks will be removed as part of the project and skippers will have a better defined channel marked by seven port hand markers and the same number of starboard hand markers.

The project is part of the DoT’s $654,000 2012/13 Navigation Aid Capital Works Plan. The DoT currently manages more than 1,300 navigation aids in Western Australia and works closely with stakeholders to identify projects and works to improve navigation and keep vessel and passengers safe, said the department.