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The move comes after a spate of high-profile rescues. National's outdoor
recreation spokesman Nick Smith said it was outrageous taxpayers had to
foot the bill for rescue missions where it was clear those involved were
not prepared and had acted irresponsibly.
Smith said the rescue of nine Indonesians from Mt
Cook - who ignored advice they lacked the experience to attempt the
climb - and of British rower Jim Shekhdar after his attempt to cross the
Southern Ocean, highlighted the need for a user-pays system.
In the year ending June 2003, New Zealand Search and Rescue was involved
in 1080 missions costing almost $885,000.
Conservation Minister Chris Carter plans to talk to Conservation
Department staff and alpine groups about how other countries deal with
overseas adventure-seekers who are ill-equipped or under-experienced
when they strike problems.
"It can be a fine line between the genuine adventurer and the line of
stupidity, but provisions should be made for cost recovery if there is
blatant stupidity," Smith said.
He said the law needed to be changed to give Search and Rescue
additional powers to bond for full-cost recovery, which would be a
deterrent to irresponsible risk-taking.
Act police spokeswoman Muriel Newman agreed adventurers who were proven
to have shown negligence and recklessness could be charged a reasonable
fee.
"We're a society that doesn't mind having to pay if the charges are
reasonable.
"If we go too far down the consequence path we might make New Zealanders
too afraid to get out of bed in the mornings, but people should be made
to take responsibility for their actions."
But police - who pay for search and rescue resources - say introducing
user-pays could make people delay calling for help, for fear of having
to pay for the rescue.
A police spokesperon said there were no plans to introduce charges for
rescues and believed it would not be practical.
Meanwhile, boaties face having to sit a licence before being allowed on
the water, under plans to lower the numbers of accidents at sea. The
proposal - being discussed in the boating industry and by the Maritime
Safety Authority (MSA) - could see the money raised from licensing
ploughed back into the coastguard.
The plan is driven by concerns over the number of accidents on the water
and will be seriously considered if the MSA's public education efforts
fail to further cut the numbers of people who have drowned pleasure
boating.
Last year, 22 people died while boating, up on the annual average of 17
deaths. In last year's report to parliament, the MSA said it was more
difficult than people thought to reduce accident numbers.
MSA director Russell Kilvington admitted the option was likely to be
unpopular with the public but reducing the number of deaths was
important.
"It's the nature of the country - it's the last great freedom. We don't
want to be heavy-handed at one level. But when we see the waste of human
life . . . we're moving to demanding a high level of competence."
Kilvington said there was no immediate plan to introduce licences or
registration of all boats. But it was being discussed.
"We are relying on education and awareness. If that does not deliver,
then some form of licensing by competence of skipper or registration of
boats (is an option)."
The coastguard, which provided services on a mainly voluntary basis, was
short of funding and a licence could provide a safety levy, said
Kilvington.
Ross Gildon, president of the New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council,
said money raised through licencing must go back into boating.
Gildon also warned that new regulations would require a body to
administer them, and that could swallow the money raised.
Laurence McLeod, president of the NZ Marine Transport Association, was
delighted the proposal was under consideration.
"The MTA believes all private vessels should be licensed in some way -
and the operators. They're a bunch of wallies out on the water."
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