To be on the water, in a boat that could sink,
To see the storm coming, to "batten down the hatches" and work to stay afloat...
Reminds me of that movie, The Perfect Storm, and how upset I am that it is based on a true story.
And now I'm curious about the two boys - first, how did you see their text (heading to the Bahamas) and if you know of that, why don't you know if they made it home safe....

I can not say what happened with the boys but there was also a freighter that went down from this same storm.

We landlubbers may lead less interesting lives, but there's something to be said for staying alive.
Still.
I am in awe of your adventurous life of hard work and pragmatism on the coast.
Excellent freewrite!!!