I have been in the waters off of Palm beach, Fl., and they are not what I would call “Protected”. The waves were about 4-6 feet, and not what I would call safe for a 19 foot Center-Console boat piloted by a 14 year-old.
Further, once you get out several miles, you have to deal with the Gulf Stream. That’s probably what happened to those kids.
Apparently, they have video of them leaving Jupiter Inlet.