It was a vote but what the heck.

The coast guard was not risking their lives any more than they do every day. They train to do what they do as safely as they can. If it was a risk of there lives then they would not have done it.

We all make choices in life the coast guard makes theirs and they are responsible for it. The sailors made theirs and were responsible for it. It is a waste of everyone's time to say who was "right" and point at who was "wrong" as if that makes us right or wrong.

If you feel sailing in high wind is wrong because it may require the coast guard to do exactly what they are paid to do and volunteer to do and choose to do then don't do it.

I sail because I love it not because it is more or less dangerous than driving to work. I sail in high wind because it is fun. People do all sorts of sports because sitting at home watching TV does not have the same effect on their mind. You may if you wish condemn someone for throwing themselves against the wind in passion. you can even condemn the coast guard for choosing to risk themselves to rescue the sailors (it was their choice to do so).

Life is not lived looking back it is lived making choices now.

I will say it again I would choose to sail in the wind over discussing it on the internet.