Ma’am, each made the decision they determined was the best in their circumstance.
Abby didn’t either know enough or couldn’t cut away her mast. Nor did she clean her deck as she left “foot traps” all over. That is not a knowledgeable sailor. What if she had caught her foot in that mess and gone overboard while waiting for rescue? This young girl may know how to sail but not well enough to attempt this trip.