Collision between Falcon and Stand-By

Last Saturday there was a collision between the Nordic 40 Stand-By and Maltese Falcon on San Francisco Bay. The smaller boat plowed into the 289-ft yacht’s starboard beam, damaging a bit of the hull and rail. The top of the mast also punched a hole in one of Falcon’s sails. As for the smaller boat, a big chunk was taken out of her bow.

We haven’t been able to locate the skipper of Stand-By for comment, but Perkins posted his version of what happened on photographer Peter Lyons’ website to accompany the many photos Lyons captured of the incident. It reads as follows:

"A few minutes before this photo sequence was taken, the Falcon had turned to port, to give the right of way to the smaller yacht, which was to leeward on the starboard tack. The Stand-By was originally on a roughly reciprocal course to that of the Falcon. Prior to the photos shown here, Stand-By was bearing away, and the two yachts were on safe courses to pass roughly with a distance of 200 feet separation. After Stand-By had sailed past the Falcon’s bow, the smaller vessel suddenly rounded up, possibly to tack in order to follow the Falcon, when she lost control. With her main sheeted hard in, the smaller boat was unable to bear away to avoid a collision. A San Francisco Bay Pilot was on the Falcon’s bridge overseeing the Falcon’s course at all times. The pilot is also an experienced sailor and sailboat owner. Because of the Falcon’s tonnage, a licensed pilot is required whenever the yacht is underway, approaching, or inside the Bay. The Stand-By did not stop after the collision. The Falcon furled her sails and pursued the 40-footer under power, in order to determine her name and registration number. The pilot radioed the U.S. Coast Guard, which intercepted Stand-By and boarded her. The accident was caused by Stand-By’s sudden change of course, which was much too quick to permit the Falcon to respond. The Falcon sustained damage to hull, capping rail, superstructure and main lower topsail, but fortunately there were no injuries to persons aboard either vessel."

We spoke to others who were aboard Falcon, such as Tad Lacey, who has been sailing and racing the Bay for more than 50 years, and they were dumbfounded at what happened. Lacey and the others said the boats were passing with no problem until Stand-By suddenly luffed up.

We sailed aboard Falcon the next day, and can confirm that many small boat skippers seemed intent on getting as close as possible to Falcon — even if it meant crossing a short distance in front of her bow with a backwinded genoa or sailing on a reciprocal course. Please folks, give a little room. Besides, the view is even better from several hundred feet away.

The day we were aboard Falcon, four or five people were always on careful watch to avoid the many small boats. They included Perkins at the helm, Chris the skipper, Bay Pilot P.W. Fuller, who owns a Beneteau 41, one crewmember on the bow, and often another crewmember on the bridge. And despite being the bigger boat, Falcon often changed course to stay as clear as possible.

The Bay belongs to all boats, large and small. There is plenty of room for everyone, just use a little common sense and courtesy.