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Very sad event. My thoughts go out to the families. Doing what you love to do is a strong magnet even in marginal conditions. Got to be ready though, with PLB's down in the $250 range each hunter having one MAY have helped along with a handheld VHF. Not second guessing just say'n.
I keep a GPS enabled PLB and a GPS enabled handheld with me when I am alone on the boat. My PLB does have a strobe (a small one) and the battery life IIRC 36+ hours. Granted as you note it all comes down to response time. The electronics while not a sure thing are better than yelling at an empty ocean IMO. Got to hedge your bets a bit right. I don't duck hunt anymore but if I did my kit would surely include the above items. I hope the survivor recovers quickly with no lasting effects.
If you want to be found in the water at night, carry a decent strobe. It's easier to find someone with a good strobe at night than it is to find a person in broad daylight. Seriously.
Wow, that's a brutal way to go out.
My thoughts are with the families.
Rest in peace guys.