*IF* the 'sailboat' was sailing.

Scotty

"Simple Simon" wrote in message
...
When there is a collision between a motor boat and a sailboat
it is generally thought that the motor vessel bears the brunt
of the responsiblility because it is the motor vessel that
is the give way vessel while the stand-on vessel is the
sailboat. Of course there is the narrow channel rule but
there is no mention here that this was the case.

Even if the sailboat operator was drinking that does not
make drinking a contributing factor to the collision. If the
motor vessel would have kept clear as the Rules compel him
to keep clear then I don't see how the sailboat could have
caused the collision.

I would venture an educated guess that any decent lawyer
could get the sailboater a good settlement if only he were
not drinking. If he was legally drunk then everything goes
out the window. If he was not legally drunk then he can
sue the ferry for damages he may have incurred and a good
lawyer could easily get him a fat settlement.

S.Simon


"otnmbrd" wrote in message
ink.net...
Would be interested in knowing how you came up with that statement based
on the pictures and story.
otn

Simple Simon wrote:

http://www.portjefferson.com/news/20...03_ferry.shtml

Beware the Grand Republic ferry. It seems according to the
news story that has very limited information that this ferry
does not give way to sailboats as required by the COLREGS.



http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/stat...60.bc-ct--boat
aug04,0,864395.story?coll=hc-headlines-local-wire