Favourite Photos

In this situation you should anticipate the crossing early and jibe then jibe back or sheet the kite on as hard as possible, bare away and park the boat whilst you are both still on the wire and then power up when it has passed.  As far as I know you are not permitted to cross closser than 100 mtrs in front of a ferry or ship.

That being said, on a skiff or cat with assy, one gust can change your proper course dramaticaly and also vision under these kites are not the best.  I'd say these guys did not see the ferry until too late and probably had to hose out their wetsuits after racing

huh? correct me if im wrong but if a boat has a wave at its front then its generally moving forward.

Might be right on that one, just glansed at it, why didn't they just bear away or even gybe then. No way would I be daft enough to try that stuff............

In Falmouth commercial shipping has right of way. At large events its in the sailing instructions that boats infringing a commercial vessel can be disqualified non discardable. We generally try and place a screen of rescue boats between the vessel and those racing. The wind does all sorts of nasty things next to big ships. The wash from the props can also spin you around in circles if you get too close to the stern.

Generally best avoided.

HA HA, lozza, that just reminds of the time we pitch-polled white-lightning in front of the Hunter's-key ferry coming back from the Holy Loch on the weekend we were round there. They actually stopped and watched us to see if we were okay afterwards.