They were for the “comfort” of the passengers because of the temperatures and were ruled mostly to blame for the Hot Springs fiasco. I can’t believe they don’t learn from these disasters. They sink slow enough for people with life vests can get away from the boat IF they are not ensnared in netting.
Watching the video, and how it was riding lower and lower indicates the bilge pump wasn’t working. Combine that with white caps that lap over the boat and you’re doomed.