There would be things to grab onto and move faster than swimming, imo.

The problem would be all the potentially slow people in your way as the boat rapidly sank. There just wasn't much time and they waited too long to flee the ship.

If they had more young people to help the old and young out, it might have been a lot better. It seems like it was mostly old people and children though.

I guess the windows should be open and large enough to swim out of in a boat like that or it should be made so it can't sink so fast. Maybe use something with compartmentalized air chambers instead or a bilge pump if that can stop it.

I don't think a boat like that should really even be legal to carry so many people with so few safety features.