Lot's of them ended up dead mariners I would guess. I think they would have taken a compass if they were offer one for sure. In a fog you need a compass. I would guess with heavy clouds it would be handy too. I am no expert and just started leaning but I have experience boating. I have been in the fog and swore the compass was wrong but followed it. They work and for 50 bucks they are cheap. Granted smaller bodies of water it doesn't matter but on a large bodies I would vote YES! I may not hit an exact beach but I could get back to land.