In your opinion, is getting "keel-hauled" better or worse than walking the plank?
The student who found this and took it to The Mirror instead of authorities should be charged the same as a spy.
Well, with Keel Hauling, you can 'forget' to keep the rope moving.
And these days one can kick up the ships speed fairly quickly.
So he can get battered against the hull the entire time.
And if he comes loose from the rope in front of the ships screws, oh well.
So it is better from one point of view -no chance of survival, but it is a more severe punishment due to certain death.