Irish Coast Guard conducts record no of rescue missions in 2015

Calahonda52

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1227/756404-coast-guard-2015/

Given that most of these rescues are due to the crass stupidity of the rescued, does anyone think that the rescued should pay for these services?

Now it wireless POS kits, pay before the lift?

AFAIR some search in Cork cost euro 2m because the punters went out in an unsafe boat without the regulatory safety kit inc. the EPIRBs

Usernemises

They perform an unenviable task, I would imagine the sight of a helicopter/ rescue boat when at the mercy of the seas is unmeasurable to the rescued. I don't think pay before lift is any way right. The penalty of stupidity should never be to perish.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Can any muppet get himself a boat in Ireland and start operating it off the coast or is there some sort of qualification/licence needed?

Mod

User who was being a dick has been given a day off, I've deleted his post as I don't think it's appropriate to leave in place when it could be read by the people involved.

Those of you who saw the post will understand, those who didn't - count yourself lucky.

bigroad

Well done Mod.

The Backwards Man

People rarely think of the poor bugger that will have to risk their life to save them if something happens. Maddening but that's the way it is. I don't think you could do that job if you think about like that though, so that rules me out right way. Enormous respect for someone that can do it though.

Sh1tbag OToole

Calahonda52 wrote: »

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1227/756404-coast-guard-2015/

Given that most of these rescues are due to the crass stupidity of the rescued, does anyone think that the rescued should pay for these services?

Now it wireless POS kits, pay before the lift?

AFAIR some search in Cork cost euro 2m because the punters went out in an unsafe boat without the regulatory safety kit inc. the EPIRBs

Did it really cost two million extra or is some clever journalist taking the total cost of running the helicopter and multiplying by the fraction of time spent on this particular rescue?

Peregrine

Calahonda52 wrote: »

AFAIR some search in Cork cost euro 2m because the punters went out in an unsafe boat without the regulatory safety kit inc. the EPIRBs

Sorry but you're going to have to back that up because it's incredible.

For reference: the contract to CHC itself is worth ~€50m a year.

The Hill Billy

Well done to the brave crews of the SAR teams & their colleagues in the Coast Guard, Mountain Rescue & the RNLI for their heroic work throughout the year. Selfless & brave one & all!

John_Rambo

Calahonda52 wrote: »

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1227/756404-coast-guard-2015/

Given that most of these rescues are due to the crass stupidity of the rescued, does anyone think that the rescued should pay for these services?

Now it wireless POS kits, pay before the lift?

AFAIR some search in Cork cost euro 2m because the punters went out in an unsafe boat without the regulatory safety kit inc. the EPIRBs

Most were getting people to hospital from rural, isolated areas. Elderly people, car crashes etc... A few incidents might have been from stupidity, but realistically, lines break, boats get demasted, squalls rear up, climbers slip, outboards and inboards break down (just like car engines), kites tear, mountain bikes crash... etc. We can't just stop adventuring.

Indeed. I raised money during the year for RNLI, it's a charity which saves lives across Ireland and the U.K. but is run by volunteers and fundraising. I soon discovered that it's also a charity which people are less likely to donate to as they don't feel it warrants the same donations than other charities. My best friend is an RNLI volunteer, she is trained to rescue people and ultimately save their lives, she gives up her own spare time to do so and is on call 24/7/365 my fundraising ensures that people like her are properly trained and have the right equipment to save those lives. Very worthy cause IMO.

Richard Hillman

If you charge people for rescue, they may end up trying to stupidly rescue themselves or take more risks to get out of trouble.

sligojoek

I live near a GAA field and it's not uncommon for the helicopter to land there and do a patient transfer with the guards and ambulance service coming from Donegal or Leitrim with elderly or cardiac patients. It's an experience to see how fast they do it.

John_Rambo

sligojoek wrote: »

I live near a GAA field and it's not uncommon for the helicopter to land there and do a patient transfer with the guards and ambulance service coming from Donegal or Leitrim with elderly or cardiac patients. It's an experience to see how fast they do it.

That's why the rural choppers have more call outs. Amazing service, been involved in two rescues with them.