FINES could be handed out to tourists at a top Spanish seaside resort if they need an emergency rescue at sea.
Authorities in the city of San Sebastian have drafted new rules that would see those rescued foot the bill for the costs, but only in cases of negligence or recklessness.
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The proposed regulations come following the rescue of a pair of drunk men, one from Spain the other from Brazil, who got into trouble in the waters at the Bay of Biscay.
The pair decided to go for a swim after an evening of partying and ended up being pulled further out to sea by strong currents.
Fortunately, a police officer saw them and was able to sound the alarm to get them the help they needed in time.
The rescue for the two men eventually required more than 20 first responders at the scene and cost an estimated £5,200.
It is one of many occasions when the emergency services in San Sebastian have had to cough up to cover the costs of bad mistakes made by other people.
Local chiefs hope that, in the future, those rescued would be responsible for paying the costs, due to their lack of responsibility.
While authorities in the city recognise that the proposed law is “confrontational,” they said it is simply designed to make people “think twice” about going for a swim when it might not be sensible.
Martin Ibabe, the city councillor responsible for citizen safety, told the Guardian: “I would love to never charge a single euro, pound or dollar.
“The objective here is to prevent these types of incidents from happening. The confrontational nature of this law is aimed at making people think twice.”
Ibabe however is also aware that people will still need help for reasons beyond their own carelessness.
He said that those people certainly would not be paying for their rescues.
“If there is the slightest doubt that it might have been an accident, we won’t charge people,” he added.
He hopes to have the new rules in place by the end of the summer.
Should they be introduced, San Sebastian will not be the only place in Spain to have new regulations designed to combat drunken behaviour this summer.
In parts of the Balearics, all-inclusive guests have been limited to six drinks a day at their hotel resorts.
Meanwhile, football shirts have been banned in Playa de Palma in Mallorca, with locals hoping it will limit anti-social and drunken behaviour.
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