[Armistead]

been years since i recall looking at files that do with lifeboats and several factors are involved and some of it's hard coded, so that is what it is. Mods do change, but I think with hard code lifeboats may not spawn at all if the ship is 100% destroyed in point values before it passes flood level. A lot of times a good majority will despawn when the ship passes flooded level, leaving only a few...I think code uses a random number that is connected to game values, like sink a capital ship or troop ship u may see more life boats. Once in awhile you'll get a full value and a ship you sink may have a circle of 50 boats around it...