I wonder why this is not being reported in the news?

[[3889]]

We were 'T' boned by a yacht on the China Coast Cup, our yacht was a write off. We were on starboard, on the start line. We were holed at toerail, delamination of the hull, cabin roof damaged, windows stove in . No-one was hurt. During the protest the offending yacht skipper was chastised, with some incredulity, for not stopping (not even to enquire of injuries or damage). There is no penalty for not stopping. The insurance payout, in full, came from the insurance of the offending yacht.

It happens.

Jonathan

edit - this is not to suggest, at all, that a Volvo skipper would have the same cavalier attitude - I had already read the report and knew the Volvo yacht had stopped to offer assistance (as had following Volvo yachts. It will be interesting to read how, why it happened.

close edit

"Article 98 (1) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) requires masters of vessels sailing under the flag of signatory States to render assistance to those in distress at sea. It is primarily a State duty fulfilled by the master of the vessel."
https://www.maritime-executive.com/blog/blog-unclos-and-the-duty-to-render-assistance

 

[Neeves]

We were not in distress, we were holed badly at the toerail but as soon as we dropped the sails there was no ingress. We did not suggest we were in distress. We did have our hands full checking (that we were not in distress) and later noted the errant yacht was simply sailing on -apparently unconcerned. Stupid - on their part as we were on the start line of an international race with a Committee boat at one end with international jurors. They did lack some credibility, and any sympathy, at the protest hearing.

But questioning whether a yacht offers assistance after a collision - it might seem unnecessary, but

It happens

Jonathan