The story had a lot of loose ends. The sail seemed intact.
They had no idea of where they were. Maybe they were completely incompetent, maybe there is more to it.
My first thought was to look at a map. Not even a nautical chart, just a map. They would have realized that if they pointed the boat any direction and set the sails, chances were very high they would hit something called Land.
They could go south too, but the land is pretty icy, unless Al Gore gets his way really quickly.
“Had no idea where they were” went out the window circa 1990, plus or minus.
That’s how long I’ve had a handheld GPS with 4 AA batteries inside.
Their story does not add up on many levels.
Even if they could not raise their mainsail due to a lost halyard (any ocean sailors should be able to remedy this in an hour) their roller-furling jib on the bow is entirely intact and ready to unfurl and get them sailing.
Unless they were just 100% clueless morons who took out a sailboat without knowing how to sail, depending 100% on the engine for propulsion.
Their story is absurd, many lies are being told, otherwise, they are literally morons who should be living in a care facility with close supervision.
There were no men on the boat - no one who knew anything about sailing.