Re: [Paddlewise] rescue bill?

RE:And while we're asking, who pays for Coast Guard rescues?  After they
save your life (or prevent you from coming home late) do they send you a
bill for thousands of dollars?  Or do our tax dollars cover this?
Joy Hecht
Arlington VA

Hi,
Once when paddling in Florida I did hear of a "diver"(?) that was "billed"
for a rescue because the CG(?) spent hours searching for him and he was in
a seaside bar somewhere hiding from the law and his wife. It was on the
crystal river as I recall... But I bet its being considered as more and
more gov. agencies are straped for $.

In general from my pre-law days I'd say that if one was negligent in any
way (like if they wrote you a ticket) that you _could_ be libel for some
type of charge... surprising and I often wonder what the $3.00 put in fees
go towards.?!

On a related note in another thread here... I bet that one _could_ be held
libel if you left a Kayak out and unlocked (dumb anyway but...) and some
crazy stole it for a joy ride and got hurt (crazier still as you would have
given whomever a free lesson/ride just to share the joy of the
sport...right?). I believe in legalize its called an "attractive
nuisance"... what an understatement eh? Remember, sad as it is, this is the
same PC-gone-crazy system that allows a burglar to sue the home owner if he
slips and hurts himself while rippin you off! :(

I also wonder if you have the right to refuse to be "rescued" if its just a
case of "inconvenience" rather than "life threatening". Also; how can the
homeowners be "ordered" from the homes they own like in a hurricane?

just my .02

fair winds and following seas to u,
Tom_at_SanFranBay


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