Skymaster lost, San Juan Islands WA

[Paul Sharp]

Yes, if it took that long it seems too much time before rescue. But given that amount of time in the water anyone could easily drown, especially given the effects of the water temperatures. And there might have been shock, etc. from the crash (physical and not just mental).

And if there were any waves, even a good "ditch" could have hit a wave and made the landing very hard.