Survival at Sea...a case for smaller vessels, and sail power

Just recently this Youtube video was brought to my attention.

As I watched it several times, along with some related ones dealing with larger ships and rogue waves, it re-emphasized the fact that sometimes you are better off on a smaller vessel in really nasty conditions. Look at how this vessel manages to rise out of harms way instead of 'fighting' with the ocean. Yes it is 'bobbing around, and likely real uncomfortable, but it is surviving.

And note how that little bit of sail manages to provide just enough forward motion to keep water flowing over the rudder...a necessary element in maintaining at least some steerage-way to 'run' with the sea.

I've been in two conditions somewhat similar. Once on an ocean trip from the Chesapeake Bay to St Thomas, we had some really big following seas, but they were not as short/steep as these, but certainly taller. Steerage was important though, and a small jib provided that power. And once running into Bimini through the reef, the seas looked like this. We had lost all motor power, but the small head-sail once again gave us enough power to shoot through the reef opening, and make a 90 degree turn to sail up into the anchorage.

It just makes me want to have some sort of sail (or wind) power onboard whenever I venture into the ocean for an extended trip. It's usually the old wind that roughs things up, so better to be able to make some use of it.

The vessel in that video is one of the European 12 meter class boats, in particular Anita. She's about 63 feet overall, so a bit bigger that she looks in the video.

This big boy (tour ship Voyager) is approaching an out-of-control situation, and should she lose all power, I'm not so sure I would rather be aboard her than that yawl above. And particularly were I short-handed with crew. I could be in control with only two persons (possibly one) in that smaller vessel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeHoo3OoD9o

Then I give you this example. This vessel is in MUCH less of a sea than the yawl above. Can you imagine her in a similar sea?

You don't see many all-power yachts venturing into the southern ocean.