JimH wrote:

The pleasure boater pays the tab for the tow back to the dock and is

I doubt this guy gets a free tow for his boat...

not in the middle of the ocean when needing one.

Probably not. At least, hopefully not :-)

The sailor did not get unlucky. Such storms should be expected when
attempting to sail around the world.

BTW: The sailors boat was certainly no seaworthy enough to attempt a
round the world passage. ;-)

You're going a bit easy on the details here :-) How many beauforts was
that particular storm? Did you have a chance to inspect his boat
personally?

How about all the boats that sail around the world or whereever on the
oceans for months, without any need for emergency help?

Risto