People have been sailing for centuries and many have died in storms like Ken Barnes survived. The Straits of Magellan at the southern tip of Chili are known for bad weather and even though it's summer there, storms happen. At the speed that ketch moved, he may have known that storm was coming and was unable to avoid it. He had survival gear and the Chileans were able to find him.

My only question is what did or will they do with the ketch? I hope they aren't going to leave it drifting. . .