I am reminded of several instances where the person swimming for help got there and sorted a desperate situation or was the only one to survive.
Skip must make the choices about chances. Was he thinking that there was more chance if he left for those who stayed?
He was right. The people who stayed with the car were as safe as they were going to be. If he went to get cell coverage they had two chances not one.
He placed himself in perils way for the love of those who stayed. Let's say he did a valiant thing.
Normally I am clear that I would stay with a floating boat. Turn it upside down to dampen wave action and arnage ropes to hold onto. Let out orange curtain and get on the VHF.
If I was thinking to leave the boat it would be because I thought I had the fitness, the boat was in the circumstances heading to a dangerous end where, if I left and swam quietly across a current I might end up in a safer place. There are, I bet many other permiatations that arrise. One thing is clear, the longer we are out there the more chance we have of understanding our safest actions. So do you know what, I am going sailing.