Bill for emergency rescue ?

Hallo all ,
Browsing a German Boat Forum I read about a guy being rescued by the German DGzRS after his engine failed and receiving a high bill after that . Does by chance anybody know if that is the same in Irish coastal waters and what the lifeboat would charge you ?
Cheers Werner

If it's the same as the UK then you won't get a bill. Donation to the lifeboat fund is appreciated though.

If it's the same as the UK then you won't get a bill. Donation to the lifeboat fund is appreciated though.

Yes it is the same here. A donation is never asked for but appreciated.

Hallo all ,
being rescued ... and receiving a high bill after that .

Hi Werner
thank you for your posting, it was long overdue IMHO!
I always found it hard to understand why we all have to pay for a minority of people which simply cannot take responsibility when going out at sea in more than doubtful vessels.
Some might do it in complete ignorance (which is no excuse!) some might be misinformed and some just don't care and put lives at risk, what is below my understanding
Don't get me wrong please - being a lifeguard since my early teens surely has changed my attitude, however, it's just common sense and being responsible for whoever puts himself into a grave danger situation on purpose or for whatever reason ... these people should be held fully responsible!
Just an example - try to phone the fire brigade when you have a chimney fire etc. - you have to cough up for the cost, why should lifeboat services be free?

I would understand your point for a revenue generating business. There are things in this world that are called public service... or volunteer work. People have different reasons why they end up calling for this services and most of the time... they do not want to be in that situation.

Just my thoughts!!!

was fishing from cork harbour recently in a hire boat with a guide. a group on a boat fishing close to us were having engine trouble and waved in our direction. they were at anchor so there was no immediate threat but we couldnt very well ignore them and clear off. we towed them for 45mins back to their pier and so lost out on some of our valuable and paid fishing time. they arrived back and tied up but had very sullen and embarrassed faces, very little was said and so we just left them to it.
so anyway..... our fishing guide said that we had just saved them 1000euros as that is what it what it would have costed for a call-out rescue.
i dont know who does the rescuing.. whether it was the lifeboat or somebody else.. but thats a pricey fine.

RNLI is a charity. Do charities charge for their services?

No , they do not, but a donation is always appreciated, but not expected. as mentioned by Jim
regarding the coastguard helo, or any other coastguard service there is no charge.
regards
screeming

I always found it hard to understand why we all have to pay for a minority of people which simply cannot take responsibility when going out at sea in more than doubtful vessels.
Some might do it in complete ignorance (which is no excuse!) some might be misinformed and some just don't care and put lives at risk, what is below my understanding

In my 35 years on the water, commercial and leisure, I've seen lots of knowledgeable, well-informed, and careful people run into totally unforseen problems, me included. Not everyone who calls for help is a menace to society. So how do you distinguish between cases? Another layer of bureaucracy and more charges?

Looks like you have misunderstood me Hugo. Regardless of how smart or stupid someone is, each life is precious so let's not castigate some for the predicaments they get in. It all depends on the scenario.
Consider that the average cost to power a rescue helicopter is about €1,600 per hour and a rescue boat costs €1,147 per hour
(source: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article ... 21,00.html) and you expect their service for free?
If you call 999 and you are taken to the hospital in an ambulance, you will receive a bill from the ambulance company unless you have insurance cover. Why do people not join a system of insurance for sea rescue costs? Likewise everyone should feel confident they will receive rescue services when and if they need them without respect to ability to pay.
If you can't afford a rescue or have no insurance cover, but are sure the taxpayers can, then please stay home!
Here is a link for donations to the RNLI services: http://www.mycharity.ie/charity/rnli/
Please give generously, these people do a mighty job and you might need them one day!
Safe boating and fishing!

i think the lifeboats who have been opperating in howth since 1800 do a terrific job. which sometimes seems thankless.the amount of gobshites they have brought in over this season alone is in the hundreds.i agree with martyn in some cases there should be a fine or charge look at this one http://www.howthlifeboat.com/index.php? ... ody&id=343 if this was a one off ok. but i have witnessed the same inflatable been towed in 3 or 4 times .not just this season but over the last 2.they also give lifts to there friends and drop them off to fish on outcrops of rocks not accessible from balscadden.its a disaster waiting to happen.the life boats have done all there work on a volenteer basis since it began .most of there donations are given by mariners, fishermen,yacht clubs and generally all people that use the sea as we are the ones who see the work and commitment they give

i have witnessed the same inflatable been towed in 3 or 4 times .not just this season but over the last 2.they also give lifts to there friends and drop them off to fish on outcrops of rocks not accessible from balscadden.its a disaster waiting to happen.

That's exactly what I meant to say Derek Get these ejjits where it hurts most (being their wallets ) and let them pay the bills for their stupidity. No excuses tolerated. Why should anyone put his life at risk for a shower of chancers? They do it on purpose and get away with it