Collision course
Two J-Class yachts competing in the 2020 Superyacht Challenge Antigua involved in a massive collision.
Photography by Carlo Borlenghi
16 March 2020
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Sailing yachts Svea and Topaz were involved in a serious collision during the J-Class Superyacht Challenge in Antigua. The incident occurred just before the start of the first race on March 12.
According to the protest hearing, Svea collided with the port side of Topaz at the runner winch causing serious damage. Topaz luffed to avoid when it was clear Svea was not keeping clear.
Two crew members on Topaz were injured with one crew member suffering 4 broken ribs as he was pushed overboard by the bow of Svea.
Topaz was seriously damaged. The port runner winch was torn off, the boom was broken, both running back stays, mainsheet, and backstay broke under the load and the port gunwale was damaged from the runner winch to the stern. The mast was put under extreme load from the impact and will need further inspection.
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On Svea, one crew member was pulled out of the boat by the runner tail of Topaz. The forward underbody of Svea was badly damaged.
The official conclusion found that Svea failed to keep clear as a port tack boat and broke rule 10 an 14, as it was not reasonably possible for Topaz to avoid the collision.
Racing Rule 10 states: “When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat.”
Rule 14 states: “A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible. However, a right-of-way boat or one entitled to room or mark-room
(a) need not act to avoid contact until it is clear that the other boat is not keeping clear or giving room or mark-room, and
(b) shall be exonerated if she breaks this rule and the contact does not cause damage or injury.”
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