Salvage bill from the Navy

Press, 14 August 1976, Page 12

Salvage bill from the Navy

The Auckland owner of a fishing boat is reported to have been surprised when the Ministry of Defence sent him a bill for salvaging his boat and towing it 150 miles to shore. The unfortunate owner obviously cannot take any satisfaction from an episode in which his boat broke down, its crew was picked up by a freighter, and the Navy later took the abandoned vessel in tow Perhaps the owner will be able to negotiate a lesser charge for the Navy’s service, and perhaps the law on the subject might be tested; but the account itself is hardly cause for surprise. Had the Navy set out as part of the country’s search and rescue organisation to prevent injury or loss of life, the question of a bill for service rendered would not be expected to arise. Public

authorities and agents—and private individuals, too—go to great lengths to help people in distress, and do so without expecting to recoup any cost. Such an attitude towards protecting lives is well entrenched in our society and it must be preserved. The attitude often extends to the lending of assistance in protecting or salvaging property, and that is a commendable and neighbourly extension. In times of emergency, whether individual or general, a willingness to give aid is nearly always strong. But free salvage is not among the services that should be expected from the State. Motorists do not expect the Ministry of Transport to provide a free breakdown service. Boat owners should not expect a free salvage service from the Navy.