I definitely understand what you are saying. You don’t want people to play it so safe in life that we turn into a group of mediocre human beings. That being said, planning for “what ifs” isn’t ignoring danger. It is being aware that bad things can happen. Was it against the “rules” for her to have a boat/ship follow her even if it was a few hours away? I am glad they found her.
“Was it against the “rules” for her to have a boat/ship follow her even if it was a few hours away?”
No, it was too expensive to have a boat follow her, especially when you can get the rest of the world to pay for bailing you out when things go awry.
The kid is just a stupid teen, it’s the parents that are mediocre - garden variety attention seekers. The folks that will go and save her are the ones who will prove not to be mediocre.
Problem here is the chase boat could have problems or in a bad storm, both boats end up in trouble.
Sailors I know stick to the shipping lanes, or when possible try to plan trips around other sailing races or events.