Starboard!

Granted, the little boat was on starboard, but...

How do you NOT SEE a 290 foot square-rigger coming at you? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Port and starboard rules still apply, I am sure the Maltese Falcon owner wont have a problem ponying up for the damages.

I think they were Pirates.

1) they weren't racing at the time, so the RRS do not apply.

2) I'm pretty sure MF counts as the "encumbered vessel" according to the COLREGS

Reportedly they were in open water and I'm not sure that lack of maneuverability technically make it the "encumbered vessel" since they weren't running in a depth restricted area. It's probably more of a time and opportunity thing (but potentially the same thing). Reports are that the 40' boat tacked onto starboard shortly before the photo...must not have known they were there (somehow?)...the 40' tried to run after the incident. It took the MF 10 minutes to start to run it down (changing course) and the Coasties finally intervened and made them drop their sails to sort everything out.

Does anyone else think its kinda funny that the little boat was 40'? Man that's a big sucker!

was the Nordic single handing? I agree that it would be hard to miss that sort of monstrosity bearing down on you.

Wonder how fast MF was moving at the time. It was heeled with most of their rags up, so maybe 10-15 kts? It may have been one of those "oh Sh**, that thing's moving a lot faster than I expected!"

As for the allegation that the Nordic 40 bolted, it was probably "Oh Sh**, I scratched his anchor - that's more than my house!"

According to the "expert commentary on SA" ... MF tried to round up to avoid when they saw that there was an imminent collision.

The Nordic 40 was supposedly double handed.

Looking at the pics in the link, it doesn't look like the 40' tried to round anything. Looks more like like a suicide attempt. They just weren't quite fast enough to get completely in front of the MF.

Yes, looking at the pics, the 40' was double handed.

Get completely in front of MF?

Wow, that would get really ugly... Keel Hauled by MF! Arrrr

Since it might take up to 10 minutes for MF to tack/gybe, is it considered an "encumbered" vessel?

How does it work for Tall Ships? It must take them longer to make turns without all the computer servo stuff that MF has....