That "subtle" current of 1/2 knot could have decieved them that their bearing to the Southern (and pretty) edge of island to the north of all these hazards (Lasell Island) was okay and the function of a little wind shift.

If you have or look at a chartplotter (or take more complicated bearings and plot your position), it would seem that the safer course would have been to go for Lasell Island (at some point that was safer); and then to "hug" around it staying away from the rocks. Similarly for the route through this passage if you wanted to stay to the South.

The first couple of years that I sailed in this area -- I just avoided it by going around to the south of the area.

It is pretty going through there. Beyond that, it adds a bit of "Maine" flavor to point to a closeby rock jutting out of the "middle" of the water -- while you're in over a 100' of water. ;^)))

It's less painful to learn or be reminded from others mistakes or misfortunes, rather than your own bad experiences.