This is another reminder how most anyone can be deceived by the dishonest, and at any stage in life. The 43 year old hired to be a deckhand probably thought this job might be his last chance to make some quick cash in an adventurous way before he got too old. Both men were very lucky to have been released from jail after a short period of incarceration.
If you read the story, the 43 year old wasn’t paid anything, was doing the job for the experience.