A hesitant start on Wednesday 9th November resulted in a smooth deployment of the FADs for the 2012 season. After loading onto Challenger Institute’s Maritime Image and despite a large swell, the whole event took around 6 ½ hours dock to dock.
Fisheries WA temperature sensors are attached to top & bottom of the All Marine Services & PGFC FADs. New style radar reflectors have been fitted to the all Marine Services, Club Marine, PGFC and Furuno FADs. Satellite trackers have been fitted to the All Marine Services, Club Marine and PGFC FADs with another to be fitted to the FSC FAD when some technical difficulties are overcome.
Note that some of the FADs have very long mooring ropes on them and may move within a radius of up to 400 metres. Members are asked to call or email with confirmed locations or any significant varations to the positions advised.
Those using the FADs will notice a “U” shaped loop close to the top of the float. These have been put there for the purpose of FAD recovery in May and are definitely not to facilitate tying up to and using the FAD as a mooring. Any one spotting a boat using them like this is asked to discourage the practice and email their details to the club.
