If you get swept into the ocean because you were stupid enough to go to the shore to take pictures of an?

Most of us can't do the cold, mechanistic thinking needed to consider it "wasting resources" but it does endanger the lives of the rescuers. We can dream of letting the cretins suffer the consequences of their actions but reality (and our biology) dictates a certain amount of altruism... so they're rescued. I don't know what Coast Guard procedures are but, here in LA County, if you get yourself into a bad situation and have to be rescued, you get a really, really big bill a few weeks afterwards. Maybe it's time to expand this little consequence for stupid behavior to the federal level.

If the coast guard are required to render assistance in such a situation, you should be charged for their service.

There is a difference in providing a free life-guard at public beaches during regular days and hours than there would be for gawkers who stand on the beach, watch the water flow away from the beach, and they just stand there taking photos of the seabed and think think they can just walk away when the sea sweeps back in, and onto land.

Same as with skiers, mountain climbers and spelunkers who deliberately endanger themselves for endorphin highs, if they require assistance, they should be charged.

My ex-husband is active duty Coast Guard and our son is active duty Coast Guard. I know their job includes life saving missions. However, people this stupid... I'm sorry, why should they risk their lives for that?? I say its a product of Darwin-ism, let the stupid ones be weeded out!

No