At last, a sensible comment on the Ouzo tragedy
The loss of a yacht and three experienced yachtsmen is, without doubt, a tragedy. It is also one which needs to be properly investigated. However, there has been much self-satisfied and pompous nonsense written by yachties in the UK over the loss of the Ouzo and the possible culpability of the officers on board the ferry Pride of Bilbao.
I was much relieved, then, to see this commentary by the well-respect columnist Dick Durham. His basic view appears to be, 'let common sense prevail':
...yachtsmen should be in no doubt: they should simply get out of the way of ships whether they have right of way (Ouzo as a sailing boat, did in this instance)or not. To put in a tack and let the ship pass would have been the safest course of action.
Quite so. Living and sailing in one of the world's busiest harbours (Hong Kong), we are in no doubt what to do about ships: stay out of their way. Even if they can see you, which they probably can't, there may not be much they can do about it if you get close to them. And there is no doubt who will come off worst from any encounter!
I was much relieved, then, to see this commentary by the well-respect columnist Dick Durham. His basic view appears to be, 'let common sense prevail':
...yachtsmen should be in no doubt: they should simply get out of the way of ships whether they have right of way (Ouzo as a sailing boat, did in this instance)or not. To put in a tack and let the ship pass would have been the safest course of action.
Quite so. Living and sailing in one of the world's busiest harbours (Hong Kong), we are in no doubt what to do about ships: stay out of their way. Even if they can see you, which they probably can't, there may not be much they can do about it if you get close to them. And there is no doubt who will come off worst from any encounter!
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