Two days ago I was sitting on my bum at the beach waiting for the wind to come up.
Mate of mine (65 years old) got on the water with his 111 isonic and 7.8 racing blade.
Watched him with interest, if he was going to plane I would rig the same sail and use my 135l.
He never planed and when turning back fell in the water.
He tried to waterstart, no wind, uphaul...saw him try twice and fall.
Then he started drifitng away, as minutes went by, I couldn't see much movement and was getting a bit worried.
He only had one chance to reach the reefy point of the bay, if he didn't make it the next stop was Australia...
I took my van to go to the point, got ther just in time to see him be washed on the reef with all his gear.
Parked the van real quick, ran down to the water (with my tongs !) and walked very carefully (sharp coral) up to him.
Grabbed his sail and helped him up.
Once ashore I told the guy to go and get his van while I would watch his gear.
He came back, thanked me a couple of times, I said "no worries mate".
Walked back to my van only to discover that while I was rescueing him I'd been fined 150 $ for parking on a handicaped parking space..........
Make an appeal against the fine with a supporting statement from the gentleman in question.
Cheers
I took my best pen and wrote a letter to plead my case.... (with my mate's contact). We'll see.....
Mate,
Good on you for your selfless act.
I hope reason and sanity will prevail and the fine will be recinded.
If not don't let it put you off if the same situation arises.
Keep up the good work.
If the fine was issued by the police or council you should have a good chance as most times they are very reasonable in these circumstances - if it's a private area controlled by an independent parking authority (normally only in inner-city areas though) I'd say your chance is zip.
Good on you for caring for your mate & good luck.
Me: Son, do you know what 'handicapped' means?
Son: Yes. It means 'not allowed to use'.
If they dont give you leeway it would be a good Tv or radio story..They would probably backpeddle then..
Were there any other spaces available that were't handicapped?
It sounds like you could see the water from your van, could you see your van from the water? How long was the van parked for?
the sail was a loft racing blade
^Lol.. Never been, but it was such a detailed story I felt like I was there!
I was imagining you had one of those Ninja Parking Inspectors like we have over here.. And most people who get stuck on a reef usually have Sheep Tips..
I don't see the problem with the ticket being issued, the car was parked in a disabled bay?!? Parking inspectors may be considered the scum of the earth but I'm pretty sure they aren't mind readers. 15 min is plenty of time to find the car in the bay, check the engine is still hot, wait a few min to see if the owner has snuck into the bay for a few min then if they don't return then issue the ticket.
In saying that, you have a genuine arguement to have the ticket pulled and fingers crossed they are reasonable and do just that.
Ha ha, red thumb. Someone must believe parking inspector dudes have psychic powers. Might go find one and ring his neck for next weeks lotto numbers.
In my post I never complained about the the ticket being issued, two coppers on bikes saw the van, fined it and drove off. The cops probably couldn't even see me from where I was parked.
End of story, I'll still try to have it cancelled cause I feel it is a wee bit "unfair"
I have, like I guess nearly everyone a heavily handicaped family member and it pisses me off when I see "capable" people taking their parking spot.
Just commenting on how a good deed is "usually" rewarded..... but not this time. 
Just for Barn (I tried Paint but couldn't even draw a wheel for the cops motorbike !! )
If you don't get any luck with leniency on the ticket try giving Today Tonight a call.
That sucks Sean. There goes that Racing Blade 6.3 we saw . I hope the Council give you a break and overturn the fine.
