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, leward 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?


First of all, a "modern sailboat" should be able to go head to wind
with a turning radius of a few boatlengths. If the power boat is too
close to do that, a collision is imminent. Six knots is over ten feet
per second, so if you're too close for maneuvering you have less than
10-20 seconds. Also, if you've tooted your horn at under 100 yards
and they don't hear it, hailing on the radio is unlikely to wake them up.

Possibilities, depending on the boat:
Start engine. My Yanmars *might* be ready to produce power in 10
seconds if they were already warmed up.

Drop anchor. If the breaker is on (it normally isn't) I can deploy
pretty quickly, but I would only consider this in shallow water. On
the first power of the season (often across from the storage marina to
a slip) I usually have both anchors ready to deploy.

Release jib and Pull the main in amidships. Again, it depends on the
exact situation and boat, but this could release enough power to slow
enough to avoid the problem.

Squat down, put your head between your knees ...