It is sad. This is why I would never take a 21 foot boat 50 miles offshore. If I was going 50 miles off shore I would certainly spend a few bucks on a EPIRB so the coast guard would have a chance of finding me.
The gulf can get very rough and storms come up quick.
I can’t imagine going out on the water without checking the forecast and radar first.
But that’s just the meteorologist in me. I don’t go to the store without doing that.
Is a E what you said the same as what are fishermen use up here in the frigid waters..life saving suits?
Is the water that far out down in Florida cold? or Warm?
We also use devices that are locators. (cant think of proper terminology right now)
IIRC the guy who had the boat was an avid fisherman along with his Dad.
Did the storm come after they were out at sea?
We lose about one F/V a year up here.
The old time Captains have a hard time with some idiot deck hands bringing meth aboard.
Use to be just boozers in the past and that is easy to detect before leaving port.