The bang was his adjustable trap set up breaking (he insisted on changing it to his own). Sorry Todd, I had to say it I think he twisted line when he got back on the wire. I noticed him do it again on another day and pointed it out. It would make the line twist over a somewhat sharp part of the cleat. The whole situation could have been avoided (we feel) if the other team had answered us on the radio. They said they could hear us but were too busy. This whole subject has given myself and a few others some good thoughts to ponder and I look back on all the times I sailed out of Ventura Harbor without a radio. A radio is CHEAP insurance. They are small enough that I'll be carrying one from now on when sailing in the ocean and especially when I'm the only sail boat on the water. BTW, my life jacket has a strobe with good batteries and I have a pack of flares in the trampoline pocket. Whistles? I think they're usless, unless you want to go deaf while waiting for someone to spot you.