[PGR88]

I know nothing about sailing. Water purifiers and 1 year supply of food seem smart, but wondering about having no ability to repair motor, and no navigation equipment (or skills to navigate by star)

[cyclotic]

No spare GPS batteries and apparently no coconuts to recharge the ones they had.

[Paladin2]

They had a radio but no GPS?

[ExSES]

I know nothing about sailing. Water purifiers and 1 year supply of food seem smart, but wondering about having no ability to repair motor, and no navigation equipment (or skills to navigate by star)

Incredible! Anyone with an IQ above 75 would have had a solar panel charging batteries and a GPS unit (best to have several!). Perhaps they bought the sailboat and never learned to sail..., relying on the engine? This ranks up there with "Here Bubba..., hold my beer and watch this!"

[libstripper]

True. Sailboats sail and their auxiliary engines,are mainly for getting in and out of harbors. Several hand held GPS units, Costing about $100 apiece, would have enabled them to find their position at most times. Then there’s always a,compass, a clock, a sextant, and a chart that will enable a,Navigator to determine her position whenever the weather’s reasonably clear. As a reasonably experienced Lake Michigan sailor, I can say they really screwed up and are lucky to be alive.

[editor-surveyor]

.
>> “I know nothing about sailing.” <<

Neither did they!