I don't know what were the reasons in that situation, but getting the two sailors safe from an uncontrolled vessle is not an easiy task. At least you would have

I don't know what were the reasons in that situation, but getting the two sailors safe from an uncontrolled vessle is not an easiy task. At least you would have the smaller vessle hit the larger. Depends of course on the weather conditions at the time. Sending over a line is much easier. Also, this would have meant abandoning the ship. Unless there is a present danger, it is easiest to tow the boat with the crew to the harbor.