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AIBU?

to think idiots should not risk lifeboat crews lives in this weather?

52 replies

KarenHL · 08/02/2014 11:38

Just that really. I originally come from near the coast and have a healthy respect for, awareness of the dangers of being on/near the sea.

The news is full of how bad this coming weather will be, merchant vessels are (sensibly) seeking shelter wherever they can - and still IDIOTS go out on sea, or to and away from dangerous waves.

AIBU to believe that if you are stupid enough to do this, you should not then expect the lifeboat crews to risk their lives for your selfish stupidity?

OP posts:

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EmpressOfTheWellOfLostPlots · 08/02/2014 12:38

Better drowned than duffers, if not duffers won't drown? I think they should have to pay, at the very least.

DirtyGertieatnumber30 · 08/02/2014 13:27

YANBU - same goes for selfish fools that have to call out Mountain Rescue crews because they've gone hiking without proper clothing, maps or compasses and now they are lost on a hillside in bad weather.

YouTheCat · 08/02/2014 13:30

Totally agree.

I was looking at some of the pictures of the storms and thinking wtf are these people doing on piers and promenades in that weather?

Catsmamma · 08/02/2014 13:31

A guy fishing was washed out to sea here last weekend....massive searches for him

I do think people should exercise a modicum of common sense, but we see them every single weekend on the rocks, I don't understand how they can get any joy from it this time of year.

rallytog1 · 08/02/2014 14:07

I disagree with you. It's impossible in many situations to assess whether someone needs rescuing because they've been idiotic or made a stupid decision. Lifeboat crews, mountain rescue volunteers etc all know they will spend a good proportion of their call-out time going to the rescue of morons. It's part and parcel of what they sign up for.

However. If, after the event, it transpires that the rescuee was placing the lives of their rescuers in danger by getting into trouble through reckless behaviour, they should be charged for the service they have received. Punitively and publicly.

YouTheCat · 08/02/2014 14:08

Yes, it is impossible to ascertain at the time of rescue. But what would make it better would be if these idiots didn't put themselves at serious risk in the first place.

PigeonPie · 08/02/2014 14:16

YADNBU! This weather has been forecast for some time; very few of the professional boats have been out much this year (they've been taking advantage of the odd day, but haven't been out for the consecutive days that they often are).

The fishermen respect the weather and understand the forecast - so should everyone else.

The RNLI are fantastic, but we still remember the Solomon Browne and don't want to hear of another disaster like that.

HauntedNoddyCar · 08/02/2014 14:17

In theory I agree but as pp say how do you make that call and who would make it.

It crossed my mind yesterday when watching a news story about people being rescued after failing to ford a clearly marked river that was a metre deep on the measuring posts. I hope they were charged for their rescue.

Preciousbane · 08/02/2014 15:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AndHarry · 08/02/2014 15:56

YANBU, especially the muppets out windsurfing in Cornwall. Red Bull should be paying for the lifeboat coverage.

squoosh · 08/02/2014 16:00

'Better drowned than duffers, if not duffers won't drown?'

Empress that's from an Arthur Ransome book isn't it? The one with the twins Port and Starboard.

RustyBear · 08/02/2014 16:05

It's from Swallows and Amazons, squoosh, Port and Starboard are in Coot Club.

EmpressOfTheWellOfLostPlots · 08/02/2014 16:10

When the Walker children wanted to go off in Swallow and their DM telegraphed their absent DF for his opinion, that was the response they got back.

squoosh · 08/02/2014 16:10

Thanks Rusty, didn't realise it was from Swallows and Amazons. Yes, Coot Club was the one I was thinking of. Love a bit of Ransome!

honestpointofview · 08/02/2014 16:32

Hi Karen

I also grew up next to the coast and I am a Governor (voting) member of the RNLI. YANBU to think those people should not expect to be rescued but as much as it pains me YABU if you think they should not be rescued at all. I except that part of the money I donate every year will deal with these people as every other emergency service does.

I do wish however there was some way we could make them pay or volunteer and/or some publicity around the stupidity so the crews did not have to risk their lives for these people. I fear however it will not change and I would not support letting the people drown no matter how tempting.

KarenHL · 08/02/2014 17:15

In all seriousness, I wouldn't suggest not rescuing someone. However, if someone has got into difficulty by being reckless (eg well-publicised warnings being ignored) then

OP posts:

KarenHL · 08/02/2014 17:20

Drat, posted too soon.

If warnings are ignored, I feel the lifeboat crews should either be able to charge for the callout, or bring legal proceedings (reckless endangerment of life, or something).

I've just seen so much stupid behaviour lately - without a thought for what could happen. Lifeboat crews do choose to do it, I know, but their lives are as valuable as anyone elses. Like Pigeon I don't want another Solomon Browne - but afaik, those needing to be rescued then, hadn't gone out deliberately after lots of warnings against.

OP posts:

PigeonPie · 08/02/2014 17:29

Actually, I think that anyone who ignores the warnings and are rescued should be compelled to make the journey to South West Cornwall and visit the old Penlee boathouse which has been turned into a memorial to the Solomon Browne crew.

bochead · 08/02/2014 18:26

Completely agree - especially as the vast majority of these crews are unpaid volunteers.

If you want to enter the Darwin awards posthumously, noone else should have to risk their lives for your attempt

Kittymalinky · 08/02/2014 18:36

I believe it is called natural selection.

Leave them to it, if they're stupid enough to go 'wave watching' and get washed away I'm guessing we won't have lost a cure for cancer!

HesterShaw · 08/02/2014 18:42

This gets tedious and Daily Mail like. Not everyone who goes near the water is an idiot who expects the lifeboat to rescue them. Not everyone is a brainless moron who knows nothing about the sea. Hell, some people even live by it and know it well. Imagine that.

Misspixietrix · 08/02/2014 18:46

YNBU! I said this a few weeks ago when the Paper took a pic of some 'thrill seekers' way to close to the Sea. You're not thrill seekers. You're idiots.

frenchfancy · 08/02/2014 18:51

YANBU They should be charged a call out fee. Anyone going out to sea should have third party insurance to cover it.

And while we are at it why is the RNLI a charity relying on volunteers and donations. Surely it is an essential service and as such should be government funded.

HesterShaw · 08/02/2014 18:53

But it is tedious when some DM journo tars everyone as "irresponsible" when it is simply the angle of the photo which makes them look close.

I'll tell you what is awful...the hundreds of ghoulish storm tourists descending on places like Porthleven to watch people's property being destroyed. Storm porn.

newfavouritething · 08/02/2014 18:55

Not quite the op's question, but I feel the same about suicides that jump off the cliffs - people then risk their own lives recovering the bodies. And yes I know it sounds heartless blah blah blah but drugs or hanging from a tree doesn't risk others livers in the same way.

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