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Post by Ykato on Feb 8, 2013 16:00:17 GMT 12
Rescue chopper 'not a taxi service' An experienced Nelson tramper activated a personal locator beacon because he was running late and wanted a ride to his car. The 67-year-old was tramping in the headwaters of the Otoko River area when he activated the beacon about 4.30pm yesterday. www.stuff.co.nz/national/8280005/Rescue-chopper-not-a-taxi-service |
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Post by suthg on Feb 8, 2013 19:11:55 GMT 12
"The incident tied up a helicopter for around two-and-a-half hours, at a cost of around $10,000 to taxpayers, and more importantly meant that aircraft was unavailable for any other genuine emergency that may have arisen," he said. Penalties for a misuse range from a formal warning to a prosecution with a maximum fine of $30,000. He was a bloody rip off artist (I changed my wording...)  |
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Post by ngatimozart on Feb 8, 2013 19:36:19 GMT 12
So are they going to prosecute the mongrel?
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Post by 701driver on Feb 8, 2013 21:00:37 GMT 12
send him the bill, taxi's don't come free.
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Post by alexjc on Feb 9, 2013 4:19:25 GMT 12
At least the $10 000, oh and Name and Shame!
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Post by steveh on Feb 9, 2013 18:01:16 GMT 12
At least the $10 000, oh and Name and Shame! Wot he said, I hope he gets a slamming on this one, not let off with a slap on the wrist with a wet bus ticket as so often happens. Steve. |
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Feb 10, 2013 21:08:06 GMT 12
I never carried a personal locator beacon into the outdoors and I used to head into some rather out-of-the-way from civilisation places, such as the upper Douglas Valley in Westland National Park (although always with mates in that sort of extreme terrain). Part of the buzz of heading into places like that is in literally cutting the apron strings from normal society and being literally on your own.
It actually annoys me when I read or hear in news media where the police are criticising someone for heading into the backcountry without an emergency locator transmitter. Having an ELT almost takes some of the sense of adventure out of heading into extreme places.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2013 11:47:47 GMT 12
I couldn't agree more.
Some of the morons setting off beacons defy belief. I was watching the recent series "High Country Rescue" and couldn't believe the actions of one couple who set off a beacon in Fiordland only because they were tired and it was starting to rain.
Fortuitously, they lost both their packs containing passports and credit cards so hopefully they learnt a valuable lesson.
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Post by strikemaster on Feb 11, 2013 13:02:01 GMT 12
Strangely, I get that too. Half the battle is packing gear to meet the conditions, then buggering off. When I was a lad we had it drummed in, this is how you survive........
Not quite Bear Grills though. :-)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 11, 2013 17:12:01 GMT 12
Anyone just has to watch "I Shouldn't Be Alive" to know you are speaking perfect sense Mike. So many times searching aircraft and helicopters have flown right over the injured tramper/crash victim and not seen them - a beacon would eliminate that surely.
If we now can't use rescue helicopters as free taxi rides then this old guy has ruined it for everyone! Now how am I supposed to get to Classic Fighters at Easter? Plans dashed. ;D
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Post by ngatimozart on Feb 12, 2013 19:09:45 GMT 12
If we now can't use rescue helicopters as free taxi rides then this old guy has ruined it for everyone! Now how am I supposed to get to Classic Fighters at Easter? Plans dashed. ;D You'll just have to grovel up to someone on 40 Sqn & hitch a C130 ride ;D |
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