Sunday’s dramatic ice rescue on the bay between Balmy Beach and Cobble Beach has sparked questions about risk, responsibility, and whether costly emergency responses should ever be billed.
While not all forecasts are accurate - all conditions pointed to it wasn't a good idea and real-time events proved the forecast was in fact accurate in this case. They knowingly continued.
I'm at the water almost every day as it's my meditation. I have watched many people that don't know do things they shouldn't without knowing better. Many of these folks knew better and I think many perhaps blindly followed.
Our area is steeped in ice anglers - I feel "influencer" mentality has creeped into decision making or lack of and that fines should be implemented in this case.
What I don't want to see is strict rules put in place to prevent others down the road to venture out that know what they are doing. Maybe an extended license - I don't know the answer(s).
Many of the falls around us no longer allow anyone at the bottom due to many being hurt and a few unfortunately dying due to just wanting to get the "shot" with no knowledge of the area or proper footwear/gear. Those can be chalked up to in the moment - but on the ice - that was a premediated decision the moment they took their first steps on to the ice that day.
We get charged for an ambulance ride to the hospital. I think there are exceptions but I had to pay when I went. The cost is only a small portion of the total cost of the service. So, the people rescued should have to pay, at least a portion. It would seem reckless to step over cracks in the ice. I usually stay off the ice since I don't know how to assess its stability. The thickness can be measured but that requires going out on the ice. It seems that they took unnecessary risks.
Most people who live in this area would have thought it highly dangerous to be out on the ice that day. The rescue operation was swift and successful. It also brought together all the emergency resources in the region. The cost would have been enormous. Perhaps it could be written off as a training exercise. But this is what a community response entails. I feel that at the very least those who were rescued are grateful, and owe something to the community resources that saved their lives. Through donations or volunteer work.
Being an ice fisherman and being out there without a safety raft is a bit nutty. They don't cost a lot, and maybe that's a way to enforce safety. It won't happen, but it makes no sense to me.
Now, if any of these people are earning an income with their content, that is another issue. This just seems like a lot of people made really poor decisions and are trying to make light of it.
Can you send the rescued a bill for this sort of thing? No. This is one of those things tax dollars pay for.
While not all forecasts are accurate - all conditions pointed to it wasn't a good idea and real-time events proved the forecast was in fact accurate in this case. They knowingly continued.
I'm at the water almost every day as it's my meditation. I have watched many people that don't know do things they shouldn't without knowing better. Many of these folks knew better and I think many perhaps blindly followed.
Our area is steeped in ice anglers - I feel "influencer" mentality has creeped into decision making or lack of and that fines should be implemented in this case.
What I don't want to see is strict rules put in place to prevent others down the road to venture out that know what they are doing. Maybe an extended license - I don't know the answer(s).
Many of the falls around us no longer allow anyone at the bottom due to many being hurt and a few unfortunately dying due to just wanting to get the "shot" with no knowledge of the area or proper footwear/gear. Those can be chalked up to in the moment - but on the ice - that was a premediated decision the moment they took their first steps on to the ice that day.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Wil.
Thanks for integrity in reporting.
We get charged for an ambulance ride to the hospital. I think there are exceptions but I had to pay when I went. The cost is only a small portion of the total cost of the service. So, the people rescued should have to pay, at least a portion. It would seem reckless to step over cracks in the ice. I usually stay off the ice since I don't know how to assess its stability. The thickness can be measured but that requires going out on the ice. It seems that they took unnecessary risks.
Most people who live in this area would have thought it highly dangerous to be out on the ice that day. The rescue operation was swift and successful. It also brought together all the emergency resources in the region. The cost would have been enormous. Perhaps it could be written off as a training exercise. But this is what a community response entails. I feel that at the very least those who were rescued are grateful, and owe something to the community resources that saved their lives. Through donations or volunteer work.
Being an ice fisherman and being out there without a safety raft is a bit nutty. They don't cost a lot, and maybe that's a way to enforce safety. It won't happen, but it makes no sense to me.
Now, if any of these people are earning an income with their content, that is another issue. This just seems like a lot of people made really poor decisions and are trying to make light of it.
Can you send the rescued a bill for this sort of thing? No. This is one of those things tax dollars pay for.