These kids were so clueless they actually thought it was possible to sail across the Atlantic to Africa in a Sunfish in under a week. That makes their decision to drink seawater downright understandable by comparison. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

What bothers me (again) is the fact that the news article makes no attempt to educate the public as to what they did wrong. Surely any of the rescuers who were interviewed could have provided some useful information about how not to end up in this predicament.

How many things can we spot that they did wrong? Without even breaking sweat, I can point out the following:

1. Didn't check the weather reports before they left.
2. Didn't have a clue about how to navigate.
3. No survival supplies, signalling equipment, or anything else.
4. The "shark attacks" were more likely panic attacks, like hikers who mistake marmots for wolverines.
5. Drank sea water because they were thirsty.
6. Defeatist attitude.
7. After 6 days at sea, they still couldn't figure out which way was west? All they had to do after the weather cleared was point the sailboat toward the setting sun and they would likely have found land.
8. "tried to swim to shore, pulling the boat with them". Oh yeah, sure - the water's too rough to sail, so we'll just swim for it - and drag the boat behind us to boot.
9. Lost their fishing tackle on day 2. How? Carelessness?

Mind you, they were only 7 miles off the coast and Bountyhunter says they were in remarkably good condition for two kids who'd been on an exposed sailboat for almost a week with no food or fresh water. Maybe this was their idea of a joke? Anyone familiar with the area? Is it feasible to sail a Sunfish from Sullivan's Island to Cape Fear and then pretend to be lost so they can be rescued? Seems a little far-fetched, but then again, so is the "official" story.