Safety of Ships' Lifeboats in Major Storms

[JPA Cate]

I was reading about the Freighter last heard from near Crooked Is. (near the Bahamas), during hurricane Joaquin, and got to wondering....

The ship was listing at 15 degrees, but they had stopped the leak. Then contact was lost.

Now, assuming that all thirty- three crew made it into the 40 yr. old sinking ship's lifeboats, does anyone here on CF know how well such boats protect the people in them? Please assume that the lifeboats are in good repair (which I know may not be so), or explain in detail what failures you think might occur.

Thanks, guys,

Ann