"Bart" .@. wrote in message ...
You can't turn in either direction. However you are required to
take whatever steps you deem necessary to avoid a collision.

Correct.

I start by sounding 8 short blasts of the horn. I do this continuously
with
pauses so it was clear I was sounding 8 blasts--the danger signal.

8 or 5? I believe 5 is what signals a danger alarm.

I'd try to contact either boat by radio on channel 16. I'd give my
vessel name, location and number of passengers aboard so that
if there was a collision, the USCG would have that information
in the event the radio was disabled in the collision. I'd give orders
to the sailboat under power to turn right and the starboard tack
beam reach boat to bear off or head up whatever seemed best.

I like the completeness of the answer, especially hailing the beam reaching
boat. This would be high on my list of things to do, because it's also their
obligation to avoid a collision, thus they should turn or slow also.

I'd order everyone on board into lifejackets and warn everyone of the
possibility of collision. I'd task people to wave frantically on either
side of the boat.

Excellent. Very complete. Of course, since time is running out, you might
not have the ability to do most of this.

I'd consider popping smoke or launching a flare to get the
other boats attention.

I'd reduce speed by furling my jib and if possible by striking my
main. If I had an engine I'd start it, put it in reverse, hit the
throttle, and then give three short blasts. If I didn't have an
engine, and I'd taken all way off, and there was time (unlikely)
I'd hoist two round balls to cover my ass in court.

Alternatively, if I could motor forward to pass the two boats
by motor-sailing, all the while sounding the danger signal, I'd
consider that option.

In the event collision was unavoidable, I'd move myself and
passengers to the area of the boat that seemed safest.

It's a pretty awkward situation. And one that I would avoid
at all costs by heading up and ducking the stern of the vessel
propelled by machinery long before the situation got critical.

Definitely!

I award 3 pts plus 1 additional for completeness.

"Capt. JG" wrote

3 pts for the best answer. Fewer points for second, third best.

You're sailing a 36' relatively modern sailboat sailing on a broad reach,
starboard tack. To port is another sailboat also sailing on a starboard
tack, approaching on a beam reach. Additionally, to starboard of your
vessel is a sailboat under power. The pecking order is obviously, leeward
over windward, sail over power. Unfortunately, the sailboat under power
is not giving way. You signal several times using various methods
available, but they're distracted, don't respond, perhaps don't know what
to do. You can't turn to starboard, because that would be directly into
the sailboat under power. You can't jibe, because that would be directly
into the approaching sailboat on the port. Time is rapidly running out to
avoid a collision, which you're required to do.

What are your options? What would you do?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com