Collision? Who is at fault?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXqkdaMlkpk

Edited by rs4001144 - 01 Dec 12 at 2:09pm

Can't see the 400 making any effort to avoid.
R23.1 Says the Opi should not have interfered with the 400, if the Opi was not racing and the 400 was.

I'm not sure what 'not interefering' means different to keeping clear, but I'd DSQ them both.

I don't mean to be rude, but what the hell did you expect? Just because your in a 400 doesn't give you the right to sail around totally unimpeded. If you/your helm had actually been sailing in proper control, then you would have noticed the Oppie tacking and either luffed appropriately or tacked off. The fact you didn't is down to the fact that 1) you clearly weren't looking where you were going (helm pissing about with rudder, holding tiller in wrong hand and having no ability to control sheet angle) and 2) crew posing about standing up but clearly daydreaming.
The oppie had clearly passed head to wind and was therefore the ROW boat, you therefore failed to keep clear and therefore are responsible. The Oppie even tried desperately to bear away to avoid you, but his rudder stalled out while you carried on. It was only when a collision was unavoidable that you seem to have even noticed it happening.
I would suggest next time that you sort out any rudder issues you may have well away from other boats ie away from the starting area, and only enter the crowded starting area once you can fully concentrate on the matter at hand. I hope you also offer to pay for any damage to the Oppie?

Edited by craiggo - 01 Dec 12 at 3:17pm

100% the 400 at fault.

Originally posted by craiggo I don't mean to be rude, but what the hell did you expect? Just because your in a 400 doesn't give you the right to sail around totally unimpeded. If you/your helm had actually been sailing in proper control, then you would have noticed the Oppie tacking and either luffed appropriately or tacked off. The fact you didn't is down to the fact that 1) you clearly weren't looking where you were going (helm pissing about with rudder, holding tiller in wrong hand and having no ability to control sheet angle) and 2) crew posing about standing up but clearly daydreaming. The oppie had clearly passed head to wind and was therefore the ROW boat, you therefore failed to keep clear and therefore are responsible. The Oppie even tried desperately to bear away to avoid you, but his rudder stalled out while you carried on. It was only when a collision was unavoidable that you seem to have even noticed it happening. I would suggest next time that you sort out any rudder issues you may have well away from other boats ie away from the starting area, and only enter the crowded starting area once you can fully concentrate on the matter at hand. I hope you also offer to pay for any damage to the Oppie?

Edited by mongrel - 01 Dec 12 at 5:02pm