Had the Kaufman successfully made it through that trip we would been more likely to read about the extraordinary sprit and resolve they had to do take the plunge. There would still be naysayers but I suspect they would be far fewer and less vocal.
As for the lawsuit, I am sure there is language in the fine print that we all glance at and dutifully sign whenever we enter one of these contracts that absolves the phone company from liability. I have no idea if it means anything in this day and age...

I love reading about people who chuck it all and go sailing. They are living their lives in a way I wish I could. We all take risks in life, I tend to be more critical of those who never even try...
Bruce