Starboard

Reminds me of an accident I witnessed in 1980 or 81. It was race off the Isle of Sheppy. A beat in a Force 5 towards Sheerness and a Westerly Fulmar was on port tack and a She 36 was on starboard. Neither was keeping a watch to lee. The She rode up at the aft end of the coachroof of the Fulmar and knocking a genoa winch off. Nasty mess and put the Fulmar owners wife off sailing forever.
 
How did the windsurfer/foiler not see the boat coming?
Monofilm sail, it's like looking through a window.
I'm not apportioning blame with this, just to be clear, I'm commenting on the different levels of visibility on the two vessels.
 
greeny said:
How did the windsurfer/foiler not see the boat coming?
Monofilm sail, it's like looking through a window.
I'm not apportioning blame with this, just to be clear, I'm commenting on the different levels of visibility on the two vessels.
Click to expand...
Because he wasnt looking and, judging by the non appearance of anyone on deck of the yacht immediately after the collision, neither were they. They might not have even been in the cockpit at all never mind keeping a proper lookout.
 
greeny said:
How did the windsurfer/foiler not see the boat coming?
Monofilm sail, it's like looking through a window.
I'm not apportioning blame with this, just to be clear, I'm commenting on the different levels of visibility on the two vessels.
Click to expand...

That's the danger of commenting on an incident based on just 1 short clip. We only see the 5 seconds before impact, and we don't know how long they had been on a collision course, either one of them, or both, could have tacked just before the clip starts. All we actually know is that the windsurfer didn't look for the 5 seconds before the impact, and that he was on Starboard. He could have looked just before that and dismissed it as an issue for whatever reason.
Based on the fact that when the board upturns there is a hydrofoil on the bottom I'd guess that the windsurfer is at least half way competent...
 
It's looks like the boat was on port tack or might have even been under engine. Either way, the major obligation must fall on the boat as they are always more likely to be the give way vessel.

I'm therefore going for a fault rating of 75% boat / 25% board. (y)

Richard
 
To ensure, without fail, that you will always be seen in adequate time to avoid a risk of collision whilst windsurfing, simply go naked. Whilst on my yacht in Orient Bay, St Martin, I was able to observe this technique at close quarters. ?
 
capnsensible said:
To ensure, without fail, that you will always be seen in adequate time to avoid a risk of collision whilst windsurfing, simply go naked. Whilst on my yacht in Orient Bay, St Martin, I was able to observe this technique at close quarters. ?
Click to expand...
You may regret this recommendation if I decide to follow it...
 
Stemar said:
I'm reminded of a comment from a stinky sailor who tried a ragtop. I can't remember the exact wording, but he was shocked at the appalling visibility on the ragboat. I have to say he wasn't wrong.
Click to expand...
But things happen more slowly than he would have been used to on a motor boat. Provided that you look under the headsail every now and then, there is no problem with visibility on a typical yacht. Trouble is too many people can't be bothered to go and look.
 
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