I, like "Riggers", was a bit surprised to read that a Sea King had been scrambled to assist(?) an idiot who'd managed to get himself stuck in the sand on a rising tide. The local lifeboat station is only a couple of hundred yards away from where he first got stuck, and a bit less than a mile from his second bit of idiocy. In this area we also have the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade that have done sterling service for well over a century. They are the people that heaved the idiots vehicle out of the sea. (Twice). He, the "driver" was apparently given a "stern warning" and sent on his way. No charge. Financial or legal.
Why not? Just because a service is provided shoudn't mean that (as an idiotic culprit) he/she/it shouldn't be "invited" to contribute something (like cash) to the service?
I very much doubt that a Sea King swallows up £5,000 per hour flying time. That figure would include maintenance, salaries and so on. Most of which would have to be paid for whether or not the machine was or was not flying. So I'd bring that down to £1,000 per hour for the fuel. Still too much to "rescue" numpties.
But my main gripe about the UK Rescue Services has to be about the RNLI.
I know I'm going to get some stick about this, but please read on before you assemble the lynching mob.
The RNLI always bangs on about how it relies purely on Public Subscriptions, and is always pleading poverty to such a degree that even Spike Milligan sent them enough money to buy one Wellington Boot.
It may or not be true that no Government (tax payer) money goes to the RNLI, but in the past (nowadays?) British shipping companies were obliged to give financial support.....in much the same way as they had to support the Lighthouses and so on (all calculated and enumerated in Swiss Francs).
The RNLI has a complement of directors rhat is normally headed by a retired Admiral, who presides in a very expensive Headquarters building (Poole, I think). That sucks up a lot of money. Does the RNLI really need all that?
I honestly believe that the RNLI management have been gulling the public for too long. BY.