heard something a bit scarey.

[Uricanejack]

How many times do we read about this happening? The worse place in the world to be in a rough sea is a life raft, especially if you have left a perfectly good sea worthy boat that might be jumping about a bit.

According to the posted story. They called Mayday. A helicopter came to evacuate them from the boat. Due to the motion of the boat and particularly its mast. The helicopter requested they use the raft.
As far as I know this is a recognised technique for evacuation from a sailing vessel due to hazards to the helicopter and its crew.
So according to the story they did stay with the boat. Until rescue.

The story the boat survived without them is a different story.

Just one more reason to have a raft.

 

[Uricanejack]

With Parachuting one tends to carry a reserve , incase the main malfunctions
Even with the best training 'packing ,drill -they don,t open correctly .

With a life raft - we ( small leisure boater s) seem to only carry a main .
Can't see Life raft being immune of law of sod !

Jeez. The general consensus on the sailing forum. I am over the top and out of touch with reality just having one. Now you are suggesting I should have 2