[defen]

> Except the boat's keel was found to be raised

Can you explain what that means? Like...I vaguely know what a keel is, but what does it mean for it to be raised? Who raises it, and how, or what could have caused it to be raised? What keel configuration would not have been a red flag?

[_whiteCaps_]

Some (usually larger) boats can have movable keels - lifting or swing. It's usually controlled by hydraulics. If it's in rough weather you'd expect it to be fully extended to lower the centre of gravity.

They're lifted when going into shallower areas.

[mermaidnico]

The keel is a blade on the bottom of the boat for stability. The built in ones tend to slow down performance, so newer boats have adjustable keels that raise and lower. If the keel had been extended, it would’ve lowered the boat’s center of gravity and given more stability. In a water spout however, not sure anything could’ve been helped. They needed to spend the night on land.