I hear those claims, "self reliance is a thing on the past,..." etc.

No offense, but that sounds like generational cynicism to me. This board and others are full of people that have nearly built their own boats. Most are quite experienced.

I know many very, very accomplished sailors in real life that could easily keep up with the hero's of the last generation. And I always meet some that know little to nothing. Is that something new? I don't think so, it was the same in the past and that will be the same in the next generation of sailors.

With the latest CG accident data(which would include rescues of US boats) down, I can't see the basis for the claim that skills at sea are at a new decline.