Department of Water and Environmental Regulation calls for community to name newest estuary boat

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is putting a call out to the community to name its newest locally constructed estuary boat. An upgrade from its predecessor which was used for 35 years, the new boat will be used to monitor water quality to help track the health and condition of Oyster Harbour, Wilson Inlet and surrounding south coast estuaries. Residents from Albany and Denmark have been invited to help name the new boat, with the successful name scoring the submitter an invite to join scientists on an estuary monitoring expedition. DWER Aquatic Science Branch manager Malcolm Robb said the boat would be used to measure the health of the estuary through pH, oxygen levels, algae activity and nutrients. “The launch of this new monitoring vessel marks a significant milestone to enable our ongoing efforts to protect our south coast estuaries through the Healthy Estuaries WA program,” he said. “Estuaries are such focal points for the community that it seemed only fitting that we got everyone’s help to name the boat. “Having a boat specifically designed for this kind of monitoring will help make sure the science is as accurate as possible, reduce the time it takes to measure all these characteristics and help to keep our officers safe. “The new boat includes features for divers to safely enter and exit the water and includes an instrument arm to safely and accurately lower monitoring instruments.” Naming suggestions for the new boat can be made until July 1 at https://estuaries.dwer.wa.gov.au/.