It constantly amazes me that sailors on big boats do not wear life jackets ALL the time, and it is even more amazing that in this case they were not wearing them at night.

The Great Lakes are much more treacherous than the ocean because storms can develop so quickly and sneak up behind you when you aren't looking. They are not necessarily in the long-term weather forecast. Anyone who has spent much time sailing on those lakes has had the experience of rounding a mark and seeing a gray wall of wind coming at them, right now, in the 70-mph range.

At night you cannot always see a storm coming, but you for sure oughta always expect the unexpected on the Great Lakes.