I don't think sailing fatatlities are treated any differently than other fatalities. The reason this incident made the news is because the instructors were convicted for negligence, the reason they were ultimatly convicted was that they broke Greek law, that states under 16's cannot sail without adult supervision. I guess the case was about wether these instructors had provided proper supervision not about wether trapeses are safe or mast head floats are required, although that may become the ultimate outcome.
