This particular post isn't about the VA Beach guys or anybody else specifically, it's more of a general rant. I'm not referring to any one person's post or views.
I think I'll drive my car the wrong way down one-way roads. It gives me a thrill, and that's way more important than the people I may put in harm's way.
Ok, a bit over the top, but not too far off.
That having been said, I'm all for people pushing the envelope of their skills and equipment, and going on adventures. I'd hate to see some general edict about what you can and can't do. That's for us to decide. But it's also for us to be responsible about. The best way to keep the well-meaning safety junkies out of our sport is keep things level on our own. What I don't like is the attitude that "I'll just call the Coast Guard" as the first line of defense when something goes wrong. If you're going to thrill seek (or just go sailing), take the time for reasonable preparation. Take some spare parts, have a knife, a radio, a chart, spare line, etc. Tell people where you're going to be and what you're going to be doing. Think through some common mishaps and think about how you'll deal with them (capsize, weather, breakage). These things all relate to good seamanship, and after all that's what we claim to be.
There will be times that preparation fails and you might need a rescue. That's fine. Putting yourself in a situation where it's almost guaranteed without some plan of action at self sufficiency ain't too smart.
I was curious, so I did a small search. Check out the two links below. I'm not sure they give the full picture, and I'm sure it's a smallish percentage against the number of rescues. Puts names to it all.
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/USCGSBKIA.htmlhttp://www.check-six.com/lib/Coast_Guard_Aviation_Casualties.htmBoth links go way back in time, the most recent stuff is towards the bottom. One aspect I hadn't thought about with respect to the CG is the Auxiliary, which is made up of volunteers.
Here's two more interesting ones:
http://www.seatalebooks.com/coast_guard.htmhttp://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/faqs/LSSmotto.htmlCost - remember how not so long ago the CG decided to stop rescuing boats that were not in life-threatening situations? That was because of cost. Now you have to get Sea Tow or whatever. One year a couple of years ago the CG almost ran out of money to buy fuel - a good part that year was rising fuel costs, but activity also played a part (if I remember right, Congress initially reacted by giving them more money, then requiring them to use the money to buy C-130s, which they didn't have the fuel to fly...).
Everytime equipment is deployed, it costs. Sure they have a budget, and as long as you don't go over that budget it has the appearance of costing the same. But every hour flown is one hour closer to scheduled maintenance and retirement/replacement of tax-payer bought equipment. But it is there to be used, and it should be/has to be used. Let's just not be stupid about it.
