On Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:01:50 +0000, Justin C
wrote:

In article , Jessica B wrote:
No other choice than what? If the boat is still floating, why did the
people leave?

Try this on for size, and then Google for participants own reports: URL:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_Fastnet_race

I don't believe the people in this race were not prepared, nor the boats
in poor condition. The crews were just exhausted, and in fear for their
lives.

Further reading: Sydney to Hobart, 1998.

Justin.

From what I read, most of the deaths happened due to abandoning the
boats. Maybe if they had stayed with the boat.... ?