On Tue, 01 Aug 2006 12:57:53 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

The
rules of the road don't require them to think about these things, they
simply require them to punch 2 -3 degrees into the autopilot for five
minutes at the appropriate time and then back.

I'm reasonably sure they would have readily done that if you could
have made your intentions clear to them. It's entirely possible that
they were expecting you to fall off and pass port-to-port since that
would be normal in an oncoming situation in the absence of any other
information.

There is nothing in
the rules of the road that says they don't have to do this unless
there is radio contact.

That's true of course, but if you don't do it, you are assuming at
least some of the risk for any confusion that develops.

The other issue that I have with your description of events could
delicately be described as somewhat attitudinal, particularly with
regard to socio-economic status and means of propulsion. There is
nothing wrong with money, only with not having it. There is nothing
wrong with having an engine on your boat and using it. You need to
get over it. After all, you may win the lottery some day and/or come
up with the most successful ship design ever dreamed of. Hopefully
you'll still talk with us common folk who are down to our last small
yacht when that happens. :-)

Be safe out there...