Scotty wrote:
But which side is the port side when you're going
backwards?

#12, a , lll;
if a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to
windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the
other vessel has the wind on the port or on the starboard
side, she shall keep out of the way of the other.


Jeeze, people keep repeating the rules. I have a zillion copies of
the rules. The question is, when you're going backwards, does port
and starboard switch sides. Does the definition depend on the
direction of the motion, or the location of the bow?

....

BTW, aside from this issue, I don't think there's anything
that
prevents a sailboat from responding, especially under
34(a)(ii). If
I'm being passed by a ferry that gives me a toot, I'll
usually respond
that I agree.


How do you respond?

depends on what I've had to eat.