Eye in the sky: Police take chopper to the outer Great Barrier Reef
Water Police head offshore for a week-long outer reef excursion with a helicopter in towWhitsundays Water Police has extended its reach into the outer Great Barrier Reef, providing support to a cay-hopping surveillance helicopter.
The week-long assignment had the boat and helicopter patrolling up to 200 nautical miles – the equivalent of 370km – off the coast of Mackay, and working with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Department of Boating and Fisheries and Border Force.
The Whitsundays Water Police boat was teamed with a Robinson 44 helicopter used for surveillance. The police boat supplied fuel to the helicopter, which landed on sandy cays where it was serviced overnight for the next day.
It also was tasked with alcohol and drug-testing on the water.
“Whilst patrolling in these waters, police had many interactions with commercial fishing vessels and charter boat operators,” Queensland Police said in a statement.
“Several improvement notices were issued by officers in relation to defective vessels and an extensive amount of testing for illegal drug and alcohol readings on vessel operators also occurred.”
No other details were provided.
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