Not sure the RN can aford to ditch Mk8 Lynxs or any aircraft at the moment. How many are there in the shed?
Why did they not make it back to the ship - no rumour on any aircraft snag - enough gas? Won't be the first or last time that ship and aircraft are not at the same point on the globe at sortie end! Would be interesting to know how close the nearest warship was to the datum. Also how long the crew had to wait for rescue.