not sure if they fall into a 'mariners' category....
They seemed to be unprepared beginners with bad luck. They didn't notice the 2 foot water rise. Floated down to sheer sides, fought like hell when the wind got stronger to not blow into said cliffs, and were totally wore out when we happened across them, floating down the river.
We were the last boat on the lake. Would've had a long dangerous ordeal of a night if we hadn't stopped..
I've been in a canoe out there when the wind is white capping the waves. Can't imagine being on a floatie.