So, my read is the S boat put up the spinnaker and began to bear off. This lower course drove them T-bone style into the Port side of P boat. Is this a correct assumption?

If you were the P boat and saw this coming (as I'm sure the P boat did not), how would you handle it?

Bear off?

I can't imagine tacking would help.

Bear off and gybe? Going high on the new gybe might allow them to duck. Certainly won't help your position, but could avoid a collision if there is enough space.

Your thoughts?