It's true that small fixed fines not regularly reindexed to inflation don't matter much to the rich and their allies. That's why about half of European countries use structured fines instead, which might still be circumvented when the owner is far richer than the captain and can gift the amount. Perhaps some judges in structured fine jurisdictions have the discretion to adjust them to be so onerous that the fine ensures corrective behavior, which is the primary ostensible reason for fines and penalties of laws to begin with. At present though, there are many more things the Epstein class are able to get away with openly now than in the near recent past.

> Different radio channel

Are sailors as busy meowing at one another as those pilots on guard frequency 121.5?

Sounds like you've decided what you'd like to believe

Yep. Constantly monitoring VHF 16 and 70 (when DSC enabled) is pretty much required.