Yeah, cheers! I'm feeling loads better about being mysteriously in a boat at sea.

[Maybe not as much better as he'd like to be feeling, but for all the comment emphasizes the discomfort and even draws attention back to it, he's still feeling better. Dry, warmed by tea, warmed further by good conversation.]

I don't suppose you know anything about boats? It sounded like they could use some help, but...

[He wasn't even managing to swim right, out there - if it hadn't been for a fortunate wave, he had no buoyancy in the water. With that, he's inclined to stay below decks and find something else to help with.]