And meanwhile in the Chesapeake...

[psneeld]

He also said they were heeling to starboard....different than what many of the amatuer crash invetigators were portraying from the picture when the story first broke.

I dont necessarily believe what the guy says...people involved in accidents and even eye witnesses often tell stories full of half truths or misrepresentations. The statements have to be cherry picked for morsels that support other evidence.

He also didnt say he made radio calls which the armchair guys are saying he did....so what really happened? If the sailor was calling on CH 16, the USCG should have tapes of it.


We will see......

Even if the sailor is totally innocent in the eyes of the armchair investigators, the maritime couts often assign a good chunk of blame all around....

[BandB]

Originally Posted by psneeld

Even if the sailor is totally innocent in the eyes of the armchair investigators, the maritime courts often assign a good chunk of blame all around....

But the vast majority never reach court. Likely captain of powerboat ticketed and warned with some marks on his record, but keeps license unless a history of issues. As to liability for the accident, unless some surprising information surfaces, I'd expect the powerboat owner's insurance to settle and pay all. Had there been serious injuries and/or death, then you could have expected a court fight but the damage in this case to the sailboat isn't sufficient monetary amount to make that likely.

[koliver]

The sailor says they were heeling to Stb, Had they been on a Starboard tack, the bow of the powerboat would have cut them in half, rather than riding up onto the deck. The picture shows the mainsheet attachment still in the port tack position, despite the gooseneck end of the boom having broken off, supporting the port tack statement. Unfortunately for the sailboat's exposure to liability, being on a port tack on a J105, visibility under the boom would be at least partially obscured by the sail, so their opportunity to react to the presence of the other on a collision course would be reduced. An opportunity to quickly turn away was there, but they may not have had sufficient time to do so, due to that reduced visibility.
I am now thinking 75/25 on the powerboat.