Improved wave information for Tantabiddi

Commercial fishermen and the recreational boating community operating out of Tantabiddi near Exmouth have access to improved information about ocean conditions following the deployment of a new directional wave buoy off the coast.

Department of Transport (DoT) Manager Oceanographic Services Tony Lamberto said the new buoy, which records the direction of waves as well as the height, had been deployed approximately three nautical miles west of the Tantabiddi boat ramp.

The buoy, easily identified as a large yellow sphere surrounded by a steel frame and fitted with a two-metre antenna, will provide fishermen, boat owners and the wider community with comprehensive information about coastal conditions.

Mr Lamberto said skippers navigating in the area need to take extra care and no fishing was allowed within 100 metres of the buoy due to the risk of damage that could jeopardise the Tantabiddi wave data collection program.

He said the information from the buoy would significantly benefit the safety of those going to sea and provide long-term data to assist in the management of the coastline and also in the planning and design of coastal infrastructure.

“The initiative represents a significant improvement in the information available to skippers operating out of Tantabiddi. Now skippers can log on to DoT’s website at any time and immediately access near real time wave height and direction to better assess conditions off the coast,” Mr Lamberto said.

DoT introduced its first directional wave buoy off Rottnest in 2004 to provide more detailed information about conditions off the metropolitan coast.

Mr Lamberto said information from the new buoy off Tantabiddi would add to data already being received from DoT’s network of directional wave buoys located at Esperance, Albany, Cape Naturaliste, Mandurah, Cottesloe, Rottnest and Jurien.

“The quality and detail of the coastal data collected by the network is a valuable resource as it is used for coastal infrastructure planning and design, improved marine safety and maritime commercial and recreational activities,” Mr Lamberto said. 

“The information adds to the understanding of the wave climate off the coast to better manage the resource.”

People wanting to access near real time wave information can do so by visiting the Tide and wave data page.  

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au