[Ramius]

As mentioned before, lack of EPIRBS,

I didn't see that in the story.

and deployment of liferaft (they wouldn't have been allowed to leave the dock without a raft)

Is this a Texas law? I haven't seen many liferafts on sailboats that size.

To say nothing about the lack of readily-available life jackets

They had lifejackets. Four of them anyway. Seems like they were available.

(I'd have been wearing mine on a boat that small).

Not too many people do, normally, though in those conditions it might be a good idea. Perhaps they were?

[Ready4Freddy]

The Sailing Instructions mandated conpliance w/ ISAF ORC Category 1 regs. Cat 1 requires that liferafts be onboard, mounted on the cabin top or in the cockpit.

The race site has link titled 'Need to Rent a Liferaft?'.

R4F - and deployment of liferaft (they wouldn't have been allowed to leave the dock without a raft)

Ramius - Is this a Texas law? I haven't seen many liferafts on sailboats that size.