Michael Cash wrote:
> On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 01:18:59 +0100, Darwin <darwin+usenet@spamcop.net>
> brought down from the Mount tablets inscribed:
> 
> 
>>On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 00:16:45 GMT, Murgi <srindler@da2.so-net.ne.jp> wrote:
>>
>>[..]
>>
>>>The government should have asked the relatives of the three whether they
>>>were ready to sholder the costs for bringing them back right away. I'd 
>>>bet
>>>that they would have agreed. Why should "I" pay for it... even if it is 
>>>just
>>>one single yen from my tac money?
>>
>>Since the government didn't asked anybody and did it all on their own, I 
>>mantain that nobody should pay them a penny.
>>You can't attempt to save me and later make me pay for that, it just does 
>>not work that way.
> 
> Try going hiking in the mountains in Japan and finding yourself in
> need of rescue. They send you a bill. I think it's a damned fine idea.

The problem being that it is (or as of last summer at least was) a 
prefecture by prefecture policy. In more than a few cases in the 
northern alps (where the watershed is also the boundary between Gifu and 
Nagano prefectures) there have been hikers with injuries/illnesses etc, 
who have been picked up and carried by their friends into (or back into) 
the cheaper jurisdiction.

But yes its a damn fine idea, and it should be the same with solo yachtsmen.

-- 
"Oh don't give me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ No, don't you give 
me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ For my head will fly, my tongue 
will lie, my eyes will fry and I may die/ Won't you pour me one more of 
that sinful Old Janx Spirit"