Should we pay if we are rescued?

[SAWDOC]

I was surprised to read in some of the coverage of the Costa Concordia incident that the captain may have been reluctant to issue a Mayday because of the likely significant cost thereafter under the Italian coastal rescue system. We seem to enjoy the other end of the spectrum where various Captain Calamitys can put to sea knowing that someone will go to considerable risk and expence to retrieve them from a perilous situation without any comeback on themselves. (We wont discuss the many call-outs due to dirty fuel/ poorly maintained engines). Should the rescue services be entitled to seek recompense from cowboys to the point of impounding their vessel until payment is made?

 

[Wansworth]

here in Spain the state or the local regional government maintains rescue boats and tugs and helicopters for rescues.Along with this you are required to carry insurance and only use the boat in designated distances oofshore according to your euipment and yachtsmans title.I belive you can be charged for an unnecessary rescue.There is also the Guardia Civil in seagoing laubnches that give a hand.

 

[David2452]

No, because it may make people think twice in a situation where they really should be on the VHF looking for help, even if it's their own stupid fault. I prefer to pay up front through membership, collecting and bunging bar change it the lifeboat on the bar.

 

[SAWDOC]

No, because it may make people think twice in a situation where they really should be on the VHF looking for help, even if it's their own stupid fault. I prefer to pay up front through membership, collecting and bunging bar change it the lifeboat on the bar.

Well fair play to you - I suspect many others do not show so much support. What if the rescue service could charge against your insurance and insurance was compulsory? Would that work?

 

[Ariadne]

All Coast Guard services in Italy are free - that's it FREE, no fees or hidden charges. Call then using VHF Ch16 or by cell phone, either works - trust me I've been there! Nice boats and very competant crews. You do pay in Spain sorry, been there as well!!

Marine salvage & towage (my old job as 1st mate) is another matter, and this is what the situation will have come under; this you do tend to pay quite well for. Try not to confuse the two issues here..

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

And how is the state of the economy in these countries with tax funded lifeboat arrangements?

 

[elton]

Should we pay if we call the fire brigade, police or ambulance?

 

[Searush]

Oh, SOD OFF with his nonsense please. The RNLI do NOT want it, most peple don't want it & it produces NO benefits for anyone.

There have been several threads on Scuttlebutt on this where the arguments have been battered to death, please give it a break, or post on those threads if you must.

 

[elton]

Oh, SOD OFF with his nonsense please. The RNLI do NOT want it, most peple don't want it & it produces NO benefits for anyone.

There have been several threads on Scuttlebutt on this where the arguments have been battered to death, please give it a break, or post on those threads if you must.

How's yer foot?

 

[Lakesailor]

Anyway. Wouldn't that leave the Rescue Services open to being sued if they failed to effect a rescue?

 

[Robin]

How's yer foot?

Probably a bit 'sore Doc'?

 

[SAWDOC]

Anyway. Wouldn't that leave the Rescue Services open to being sued if they failed to effect a rescue?

Er, no.

 

[SAWDOC]

Oh, SOD OFF with his nonsense please. The RNLI do NOT want it, most peple don't want it & it produces NO benefits for anyone.

There have been several threads on Scuttlebutt on this where the arguments have been battered to death, please give it a break, or post on those threads if you must.

I see two benefits;

1. It is a very direct disincentive for anyone to go to sea in an unseaworthy vessel.

2. It helps preseverve badly needed funds for genuine rescue.

How can you come out with a statement that "Most people dont want it" ?
your posts are usually better than that!

 

[lenten]

sawdoc----check similar threads-----count the naysayers-----searush is right---the majority say NO-----regards lenten

 

[SAWDOC]

sawdoc----check similar threads-----count the naysayers-----searush is right---the majority say NO-----regards lenten

The majority say NO and thats a fact is it ? Lets see ( take harry the next england football manager for example) al you need is a couple of prime time plugs pushing your viewpoint and no becomes yes. All in all we're just another...

 

[jordanbasset]

I agree with Sea Rush, I do not know of many water users asking to be charged to be rescued. In fact apart from a few threads on the forum cannot remember many at all demanding that the RNLI start charging for call outs.
The present arrangements work very well, why change it.

 

[gjgm]

. We seem to enjoy the other end of the spectrum where various Captain Calamitys can put to sea knowing that someone will go to considerable risk and expence to retrieve them from a perilous situation without any comeback on themselves.

I suspect there is an element of that. The vast majority of call outs are for mechanical failure, but I guess that isnt a surprise- 7/10 or whatever are hardly going to be for sinking, are they...
While I accept that anyone can be unlucky and breakdown, even with the most well serviced boat, it would be interesting to know from RNLI just how many of those mechanical breakdowns are ,perhaps, almost self inflicted. Perhaps it would be those boating on a budget, and then they are also perhaps those least likely to afford a compulsory charge.

 

[Flying Penguin]

The majority say NO and thats a fact is it ? Lets see ( take harry the next england football manager for example) al you need is a couple of prime time plugs pushing your viewpoint and no becomes yes. All in all we're just another...

Why not just put a poll up and be done with it? I don't think you'll get the answer you are looking for however.

I've never seen the RNLI complain about a call out, nor have I ever seen them complain that they are short of funds due to excessive call outs. You have a solution and you are going in search of a problem that few people seem to think exists.

 

[fireball]

I was surprised to read in some of the coverage of the Costa Concordia incident that the captain may have been reluctant to issue a Mayday because of the likely significant cost thereafter under the Italian coastal rescue system. We seem to enjoy the other end of the spectrum where various Captain Calamitys can put to sea knowing that someone will go to considerable risk and expence to retrieve them from a perilous situation without any comeback on themselves. (We wont discuss the many call-outs due to dirty fuel/ poorly maintained engines). Should the rescue services be entitled to seek recompense from cowboys to the point of impounding their vessel until payment is made?

To answer the subject question:

Should we pay if we are rescued

Yes - but ... (and read the rest of my post before quoting this bit ok?!)

Should the rescue services be entitled to seek recompense

No ...

They're different ... the first is the rescuee offering recompense - this may be a 1 off payment, regular donation, payment in kind or even just the promise to rectify identifiable issues prior to setting out again.
It will almost certainly take into account the ability to "pay" and be a reflection of gratitude from the skipper.

The second is effectively a chargeable service and therefore may be subject to contracts and negotiations - any goodwill is likely to be lost and for those who "can't afford it" there will be a greater temptation to delay the call for help till the absolute last minute - or beyond.

 

[duncan99210]

No way would I want to see any sort of charge imposed for rescue services in UK waters. The ethic of the RNLI is one of 'no fault' rescue, as is the intervention of the other SAR forces available (MCA and Armed Froces helicopters etc). To seek to impose a charge at any stage in the process will mean that a skipper in trouble will first have to think 'can I afford it?' before pressing the red button on the VHF. That'll lead to delays and probably loss of life. Crazy to even think about it, when the organisation most at risk doesn't even seek salvage fees when rescuing a distressed vessel.

And please don't start talking about insurance schemes, as the folks most in need of rescue are often those who lack the foresight to take out insurance in the first place......