Engines likely equipped with low oil level sensors and the giant waves caused faulty readings which shut down the engines. I would think there would be a way to over ride or wire out the sensors.
OOPs!
Most hiperf cars have complex windage and baffle trays to keep oil available at the bottom of the pan for pickup. Maybe those ship engines weren’t spec’ed to operate in extremely rough seas, so, no elaborate oil system or a system designed for a dry sump. Just conjecture.