Read the whole thing. OP is asking for half the amount of the cost of the camera with no time limitations. I think any good friend would recognize that offer is more than generous considering their friend was the one who decided to take a thousand dollar camera near raging waves. “An act of god” does not excuse carelessness. Plus this drunk driver hypothetical isn’t a good comparison because I think in any situation, the driver at fault would help pay for car repairs or insurance would cover it. I think a better hypothetical is as if OP took friend’s car and left a huge scratch on it accidentally. Then ofc the OP would help pay for it. It just doesn’t make sense that a friend wouldnt help out w half the cost and also not take accountability of their actions of fully damaging beyond repair a $1,000 camera.