The Kaufmans contacted medical help and were in the process of trying to treat their daughter's illness via the SatPhone. They had a very well stocked medicine chest and I believe Eric is a ParaMedic. They were quite qualified to handle the situation with the the help of medical specialists via the phone. Unfortunately, in the middle of this, the phone company shut off the phone service and they were no longer able to access professional medical advice. The Kaufmans were then forced to set off the Epirb or risk their daughter were her condition to worsen. Calling in the Cavalry with the Epirb seems to lead to forced abandonment of the boat if I can believe other reports (Satori for one). Still unclear what, if anything, was wrong with the boat. and whether Eric had the option of sailing the boat to the nearest port once the CG and other rescue services were involved.

Only a trial or threat of it will see if there is any redress from the Satelite phone provider. Sounds like a hell of a lot better case than many of the cases that have gotten 7 figure remuneration in our crazy tort law system. Think SG is right on in the attorney trying to up the damages suffered to pad his paycheck.