I agree with you completely Scott, but from what I have been listening to (Remember, I get to watch news all day long), the Navy was not in charge. Only in the event of a life threatening situation were they likely allowed to take action.
The insurance company on behalf of the ship owners were still likely making the decisions. Not an international waters lawyer, but the way I have been hearing it, the Navy can't do anything on the open sea on a private vessel, even a lifeboat, without the owner's permission and thus the lawyers are then in charge which is often the worst people to be.
I'd bet the seals had plans to take control of the lifeboat that could have taken place earlier but the lawyers/insurance company did not want to make that call and be liable if it went bad. They likely still wanted to settle for some cash and free passage.
I'd just like to know more than "it was resolved" and I doubt we ever will.
