True. Every company has to decide what will be more costly, vessel lost or mechanical damage with ensuing loss of service, or a possible discrimination lawsuit.
In the USA one of the variables involved in avoiding lawsuits is the state the action is brought in. In my state, WA, an employer needs no reason to fire an employee.
The employee in turn can sue for discrimination for several defined bases, one of which is age. But in my familiarity with legal precedents in my state a plaintiff in a case like this would have an uphill battle.
Most trial lawyers IMO would avoid the case. No big payoff.
But in a different state it may be completely different.