Nope, they did this to themselves.  Definitely NOT "Admirable", Suicidal (no Ocean Navigation experience), Poor Decision Making (Attempt to get to Tahiti with Storm Damaged Boat), Lack of Planning (No Plans filed with U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of State), Minimal Experience (Shallow Water Experience Only, No Blue Water Ocean Experience), Definitely not Resourceful (lack of knowledge of basic radio repair, emergency antenna, engine repair, repair rigging and steerage, basic improvised Sea Emergency Signals).  Courage also means knowing when you have reached your limitations of Knowledge and Experience.  U.S. Navy would have found Appel guilty during a Captain's Mast, Reckless Endangerment of Life.