Q: The Navy had to save the day for the stricken child on a sailboat trying to sail around the world. Will the parents be charged for the rescue? If so, how much?
—Frank Manfre, Grayson
A: The Navy frigate Vandegrift's 2,400-mile round trip to rescue Eric and Charlotte Kaufman and their two daughters – Cora, 3, and Lyra, 1 – was estimated to cost the Navy at least $216,000, based on the average daily operating cost of the ship used in the operation, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The Navy and California National Guard officials told the paper that "no-cost" rescues follow tradition and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention of the International Maritime Organization. "It's why taxpayers have put this whole search-and-rescue system in place," a Coast Guard spokesman told the Union-Tribune. The paper didn't publish the overall cost of the rescue because it didn't have the expenses for four California Air National Guard pararescuers, a MC-130P Combat Shadow plane and two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters used. The Coast Guard also coordinated the rescue. Critics are calling for the Kaufmans to be charged for their family's rescue from their disabled sailboat 900 miles off the coast of Mexico, which occurred after the youngest daughter became ill and rough seas caused their 36-foot sailboat to take on water. Parenting groups also have criticized the Kaufmans for taking their daughters on what was a planned trip from Mexico to New Zealand, but Navy officials told the Union-Tribune that there were no complaints when it saved a solo sailor on April 1. The ship returned to San Diego on Wednesday.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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