1) We've been doing this for years, just using a water "still", not the raft itself. But neither a still nor this raft are or will become mandatory on ocean-going vessels. As long as it floats, it fulfills the requirements.
2) A length of line and a fishing lure and some hooks (use the lure to catch the first fish, then use the inedible parts of the fish as bait) will serve the same purpose. Ocean fish are full of fresh water and most are safe (and pretty palatable) to eat raw. The problem is that most people don't know that they can stay alive at sea for a very long time just eating a few fish (and some supplement pills for missing nutrients) a day. "Bathroom" facilities would pose a larger problem for most mixed-gender groups (at first).
