Quote:
Originally Posted by Ilenart
Not to throw fat on the fire,  The Navy came out yesterday in a statement that they estimate the cost of rescuing Elies at AUS$4m (AUS$998,000 per day for the 4 day operation). They again stated that they would not seek to recover any costs, and the majority would of been incurred regardless of whether the rescue was made.
Funny thing is the Royal Flying Doctor Service, who supplied the doctor, have stated they will attempt to recover the cost from the insurers of the Vendee Globe solo yacht race . I think the RFDS is a charity and mainly operates via donations and grants. I understand the yacht organisers have previously said that they are planing on making a donation to the RFDS
Also looks like the sailor, Elies, is making a good recovery in hospital.
Ilenart
$4m to save yachtsman will not be recovered : thewest.com.au
Injured sailor thanks rescuers : thewest.com.au |
I don't know about Australia - but I'm pretty sure all governments are the same - but there is a history of governments wasting our tax dollars on worthless activities. So much so that there is even a word for it:
boon⋅dog⋅gle
/ˈbunˌdɒgəl, -ˌdɔgəl/[boon-dog-uhl, -daw-guhl]
noun, verb, -gled, -gling.
–noun
1. a product of simple manual skill, as a plaited leather cord for the neck or a knife sheath, made typically by a camper or a scout.
2. work of little or no value done merely to keep or look busy.
3. a project funded by the federal government out of political favoritism that is of no real value to the community or the nation.
Here in Canada there are so many examples, at the municipal, provincial and federal level, it would make your head spin.
To me, and probably to most of you, $4 million is a lot of money. To a government, I think not so much.
Don't get me wrong, I do not support the irresponsible spending of my tax dollar. (&, if I'm not mistaken, Southern Ontario is one of the most heavily taxed regions of North America) But I think that $4 million for a training exercise that resulted in saving someone's life, would be money well spent.
I wonder what it would cost for the same vessel to do its normal patrol and training exercises. The navy, I am sure, benefited from the experience in terms of practicing their SAR techniques.
I spent a couple of weeks aboard a US destroyer, We were cruising up and down the California coast (cutting circles). The crew was engaged in a variety of training exercises including: GQ drills, MOB drills, repelling boarders, fire simulations, medical emergencies, and (the coolest) sub hunt drills. The scenarios were played out in a very realistic fashion. I bet the navies, coast guards etc. appreciate the opportunity to put their training to the test.
I hope that the RFDS - being a non-profit organization - has full cost recovery (and perhaps a bit extra).
Anyhow, money matters aside, a big BZ to the Australian sailors -and: Go Derek! Go!