If the Coast Guard searches for you do

[RB TexLa]

you have to repay them for the cost of the search?

[jobycom]

1. Why? Have they been asking about me again?

[Fleshdancer]

2. I don't *think* so....

I've never heard of such a thing but that doesn't mean it isn't true. I would think that by paying taxes you already pay for that sort of service. :shrug:

[One_Life_To_Give]

3. Depends on why the search was needed

They can charge you expenses in for example a false distress case. But I have not heard of them charging people who were subject to true emergencies. It would cause too many people to hold off calling them over concern about the cost of being rescued.

[karlrschneider]

4. No.

...

[elehhhhna]

5. No but don't tell Santorum or he'll try to privatise them.

[elehhhhna]

6. No but don't tell Santorum or he'll try to privatise them.

[SoCalDem]

7. Here in CA, they sometimes DO make you reimburse

Lots of people stray out of the "safe areas" when hiking , surfing, climbing or snowboarding/skiing. i think it's reasonable to ask for repayment if risky behavior necessitates a rescue. As a parent, it would bug me to have to pony up thousnads of dollars to rescue one of my sons who was doing something dumb, but the alternative to a rescue would be unbearable.. I would gladly pay the cost, and then let the son have many pieces of my mind :)