Before the advent of sat epirbs, if a sailor wanted to try this, it was all on him (or her.)
If they dismasted, they fixed a jury rig and sailed downwind to a safe port. (In Abbey’s case, Australia.) That was the expectation. Cut away the rig, erect a jury rig, and sail on.
In the EPIRB era, you don’t even cut away the rig, you just push the button, knowing that the Aussies will pay a million or two to rescue you.
I read some of that on Sailing Anarchy forum too.