Risky Adventure Tourism

"When human lives are at risk -- although there is a dollar value attached to it -- I'm not sure that a cost can really be calculated."
"Canadians expect us to do this."
"When people are in distress in this country, we utilize our assets to find these people and bring them back to safety."
"Although lives may not have been hanging by a thread at that particular point, in the North or off the coast, things can change quickly."
Master Warrant Officer Greg Smith, Canadian Joint Operations Command search and rescue advisor

Nunavut Tourism

So, here's the story of Canada's courageous military rescuing tourists and their guides -- ten tourists hailing from Japan, Jordan, Australia, Britain, France, United States, oh and Canada. Ten staff from an outfitters, all ensconced on a very large ice floe, 50 kilometres long, 25 wide. Oops, it was no longer anchored, and had begun drifting toward the Northwest Passage. Yes, that Northwest Passage of legendary exploration, where you know, during the age of Arctic discovery many lives were lost?

The cost alone for flying rescue aircraft in a noble effort to save these people from the folly of their adventure came to $1,044,302. A lot of loose change, that. Wait; we're nowhere near done; five "radio message droppers" were floated down to the adventurers at a cost of $493.37 each. Strangely, those meant to be rescued signalled that they were "all OK", and gee whiz, "too busy to talk". Still, concerned at the ice "making large ominous sounds".

There's more to the rescue costs: three sea-rescue survival kits containing: six-person life raft, survival equipment and radio, air-dropped "just as a precaution", each ringing in at $23,000. They were not used, they were not needed, but guess what, irrespective of use or need, they cannot be "reused" another day for another rescue. They are now finito. Oops, five waterproof radio transmitters: $352.96, and five light markers at $62.96 apiece.

Not to forget salaries and living expenses for the rescuers, along with their room accommodation where a room in Arctic Bay comes in at $231 nightly. Another $2,903 for civilian overtime and $5,910 for military salaries. Now, let's see, the total would be -- $2,270,282. Rivalling, without a doubt, the stupendous costs associated with one rescue mission after another dispatched to find the whereabouts of Sir John Franklin and his crew.

A mission that was, in the end, spectacular in its vision and determination, but ultimately unsuccessful, since their remains never were discovered. As luck and modernity would have it, all those adventurous people on the ground more or less rescued themselves. Brought to Arctic Bay airport, and not by the crew of the Hercules preparing to rescue them. No fewer than five provinces sent planes and helicopters to help in the mission.

The tour director later explained that the situation as it unfolded "was never an emergency". His happy clients "were having dinner served to them and listening to presentations", even as the military was mobilizing its rescue resources. Speaking of expenses, this is a tour advertised for $10,900, plus $4,524 for return flights from Ottawa to Arctic Bay "based on double occupancy". A little pricey for many people, but presumably these were a well-heeled bunch.

"What the people were doing is a detail that doesn't change the responsibility of the folks at the pointy end of it, those doing the rescue", chided Master Warrant Officer Smit. The luxury being enjoyed by those on the cusp of rescue does not calculate for the military.  It might, though, for the people footing the bill, which is to say the Canadian taxpayer. Because that money comes from somewhere, after all.

And when all is said and done, perhaps we should expect those who can afford such delightful experiences to pay their own way, fully, when they come as guests to the country to enjoy the incredible geography, scenery and perils of survival. It should logically be well understood when such adventures are being arranged by tourism hosts that they inform their guests that they are required to have proof in their possession of prepaid danger insurance.

To compensate the military for such expenditures when they want to play Dudley Doright, and by extension, of course the Canadian taxpayer dinged by circumstances, most of whom can only dream of such fascinating adventures for themselves. Who don't really think it's up to them to subsidize either the tour operators or their clients for their delightful expeditions into the known unknown.

Hey! The Northwest Passage...!
Where for centuries Arctic exploration was riveted on the possibility of finding a passage through the ice-packed ocean that might link Europe to the Far East. From Viking sailors and Basque whalers to the European explorers whose names ring familiarly in historical accounts of hardship and disappointment, privation and abandonment. John Cabot, Vasco da Gama, Martin Frobisher, Sir John Franklin.

Some of the rescued hunters and tourists walk away from a military helicopter in Arctic Bay, Nunavut. (Photo courtesy of Niore Iqalukjuak) 

Now, with climate change and melting ice, not only is shipping being envisaged, but tourism is booming. Come one, come all, the taxpayers of Canada are proud to present this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to the curious and the opportunistic.

Nunavut Tourism