Re: [Paddlewise] Who Picks Up the Rescue Tab?

From: Doug Lloyd <dalloyd_at_telus.net>
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 22:36:48 -0800
Dave replied:

> Doug, your statement
>
> "Those who knowingly go out of bounds from defined area such as alpine ski 
> areas ..."
>
> is only a short step away from those who knowingly challenge marine areas 
> such as the Columbia River Bar, which is periodically closed to all forms 
> of shipping, and regularly closed to small vessels during gnarly storm 
> conditions.

> I suspect, to be consistent, you would have yourself billed for any rescue 
> of your sinus-satisfied heart if you needed one on the Bar **when it is 
> closed.**
>



Alas, my wayward ass would be grass. Indeed Dave, the US Coast Guard can 
terminate any voyage they deem as a manifestly unsafe voyage or where, in 
their opinion, a vessel is deemed to be operating unsafely in hazardous 
conditions. Fines are up to $1,000 with imprisonment for one year, sometimes 
both. Places like the Columbia River Bar have a particular measure of force 
behind these regulations. I believe both of our countries have other 
catch-all regulations that can be brought to bear upon unsafe boating 
practices. The upshot is of course, that any subsequent rescue during "bar 
closed" conditions would carry some moral implications regarding 
reimbursement for rescue costs. However, I don't know too many paddlers who 
would actually venture out into conditions as you propose, do you?

I forget the name of the girl profiled in Justine Curgenven's new DVD, "This 
is the Sea."  She is shown regularly paddling the Columbia River Bar, though 
I'm sure not in conditions you stipulate. Then again, there are beaches in 
the area one could surf while still maintaining distance from the rather 
unsafe bar conditions.

Like some of the participants shown in this new DVD, I too enjoy seeking out 
gnarly tide races and overfalls - its just more challenging solo. The North 
Jetty of the CRB was one such place, but perhaps not one that is easy to 
mitigate against the dangers of a capsize/bailout scenario. I doubt I'll be 
back there unless I get really strong again. I'm down from the 200lb range, 
to around 183lb now. Like you, I lost a lot of muscle mass during 
ill-health, and don't feel as strong as I used to. My tippy British heavy 
will probably be more of a burden now. I sold off my Olympic weight set 
recently to pay for heart drugs, but then I'm trying to loose muscle mass to 
offset heart-pumping inefficiencies. It's a new world for me, a kinder, 
gentler one, I guess. This time last year I was crawling into bed at 1:00am 
after night-time storm paddling -- the best way to keep of "the Man's" 
radar.

You added (snip):

> It's a slippery slope, Doug.  I think I hear the sound of sliding ...

Yeah, sliding downhill now that I'm over-the-hill where it's all downhill, 
rolling toward eventual geriatric malaise...

Doug Lloyd (who skied out of bounds for years, until in became too 
politically incorrect (and possibly expensive).
Victoria BC
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Received on Tue Nov 30 2004 - 22:37:16 PST

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