LOL! Nope! They were hamming it up! It's called... acting? Hehehehee...
The surface is that sand paint- quite grippy. And frankly there is little water or movement on the PT boat.
BTW, your boys would love even more being part of it! They can be swabbies and still see Daddy get dunked! A family group would be even more appealing to the CM's! Mom can drive the PT boat...
Jud