Yacht crashes into super tanker!! Cowes, Isle of Wight

Whilst the Extreme Racing series was entertaining the crowds at this years' Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, the supertanker hit a yacht which was then dismasted as its spinnaker sail was snagged by the ship's anchor.

The Marine Knutsen supertanker was being guided by a pilot boat into Southampton docks and was making its presence known by repeatedly sounding its horn. By one yacht didn't seem to give itself enough time to clear the massive boat and was hit before having its mast and rigging ripped off when one of its sail got caught in the supertankers anchor.

The yacht was quickly attended by several vessels offering assistance. It's not know if anyone was hurt.

[BarryfromEssex]

If the tanker wasn't so small, the sailing party would have definitely spotted it..

[DIMZEROCENT]

They should paint those tankers Orange or something so that people could see them !

[Boris_Chang]

Maybe their next competition could be a bicycle race on an airport runway?

[timothyspearman]

I think it's a great idea to hold races in shipping lanes. Adds to the excitement.

[MisterDeSoto]

They should have never let the tanker enter the race.

[rogerpacific]

WHAT A DORK. THE YACHT DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. THE TANKER HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY. It has to stay in the channel and it can not stop or turn to prevent hitting the sailboat. The title should say "yACHT de-masted ITSELF ON A TANKER. Yacht cut in front of a tanker. IT IS THE YACHT'S QUESTION ABOUT THAT. "RULES OF THE ROAD.

[Beachnative]

The title should have read " Arrogant Sailor Learns the Hard Way"

[TheSoloAsylum]

just no way he could see 600' of orange coming toward him...

[RoadCaptainEntertain]

Just because you can afford it that doesn't mean you have the good sense to operate it.

[nlo]

Perhaps title should read: "Yachtties hold sailing race in busy shipping channel".

A former naval officer whose yacht collided with an oil tanker in the Solent during Cowes Week has been found guilty of contravening maritime regulations.

Lt Roland Wilson, from Stanley, Perthshire was fined and ordered to pay more than £100, 000 in costs following a trial at Southampton Magistrates Court.

The dramatic collision in 2011 was captured on film.

The 32-year-old was convicted of impeding the passage of a vessel and failing to keep a proper lookout.

[benlawton]

If the track wasn't wet the super tanker could have stopped.

[svalchemy]

The yacht hit the supertanker. The skipper was a total incompetent.

[CaptainArt]

You can always tell those that know nothing about the rule's of the road but make these outrages comments. From both at fault to they have a right to be there. Most of you got it right. The sailor was 100% wrong. Large ships, because of their draft, are confined to a certain area. They also must maintain a certain speed depending on the wind and tide. He was not going to fast.

[CumminsDslPwr]

"Hey !, you scratched my anchor !"
Rodney Dangerfield, Caddyshack

[watchkeeping]

It’s ONLY 120, 000 TON.  What do you mean you can’t stop on a dime.

[sail]

I've had the misfortune to be at the wheel of a ship in the Solent during Cowes week. Yacht owners don't seem to appreciate that a large ship has to stay in designated channels.

[biscayforce]

That "little misjudgment" has just cost the skipper of that yacht over £100, 000. £3, 000 in fines and £100, 000 in costs.
The moral of the story is "Don't get in the way of ships, you are going to loose (everything)"

[firefighter]

WTF has a boat race in a shipping canal?

[Maloy]

Some more ideas for Aberdeen Asset Management, who organized a boat race in a shipping lane:
- Preschoolers bicycle race on level rail crossings
- Boys vs. Girls Crocodile farm swimming competition
- Red light family running
- Parachute-free sky-diving week