He’s not unskilled or inexperienced.
You are correct. I still think that adults should not take unnecessary chances with 1-year-olds. But that's just me.
Skill has nothing to do with it. Obviously he was not skilled enough to fix the problem. When a person puts him/herself in a given situation, they must be prepared to accept the consequences of these actions. Accident or no accident. It used to be ambulance costs were free as well, but no more. The costs for a sea rescue are significantly more, require more time, more resources, etc. He did or should have known this going in and must be prepared to pay for any rescue, etc.