A situation created by unforeseen circumstances or neglect is one thing. But being knowingly and intentionally neglectful is unacceptable. When people risk the lives of others it is unacceptable to those involved in their rescue.
There have been many accidents where people leave their boat, yacht, to try and save another person in distress. And yet it has long been known that many boat owners take it for granted that they can rely on their instruments 100%. Well this is a bad assumption – GPS, RDF, radar and compass, and all other instruments suffer from magnetic field storms from the sun. It is also advisable to log down your D.R. position every four hours as you may need it.
When an accident happens the first thing you will experience is shock and panic which you must take a couple of deep breaths so that you can concentrate.
As an ex-Nautical Instructor my advice to all yachts seafarers:
(a) always leave a floating nylon line trailing with three to four loops from the deck to the water line (never for get to retrieve it before going astern); (b) always carry on one, or two members of the crew a personal E.P.I.R.B.; (c) always have around your waist a one-metre rope with attached clip-on hook; (d) always have a life buoy with 25 metres line at hand; (e) always have head-up life jackets at hand; (f) never leave the yacht unmanned in a man overboard situation; (g) make sure your life raft is serviced and secured away from fire hazard engine room areas, attached and secured properly with a hydrostatic release; (h) fire extinguishers should be situated at door entrance for easy and reachable emergencies; (i) in distress always give your position first, by latitude and longitude keep repeating till you get acknowledgment; (j) distress radios must have a separated batteries away from the engine room, gas cookers and magnetic compass; (k) lastly do not go into the water unclothed or barely clothed.
Accidents do not book their time or date.

Michael Neville Cassar
Valletta