I think the key is to differentiate between those who exploit 'for gain" vs. those who don't: But there is a slippery slope even in that -- for example we DO want the governments to rescue commercial fishermen and merchant seamen, and as much as everyone wants to stick BP oil with a huge bill for the oil spill, it would not benefit the public to put oil companies out of business even in an extraordinary case such as this.

There are laws on the books that prevent anyone from profiting from a crime; such as by public speaking, movie or book deals. It would seem to me a similar law might be appropriate in cases of people who are rescued at public expense, requiring any gains to be turned over to the rescuing parties -- whether they be government or private.