I REALLY hate it when a
racing boat does that. As aside from being stupid, & incredibly dangerous for all ships/parties involved, it gives (all) racers a really bad name. Along with reinforcing the "bad attitude", "I'm too cool for rules", stereotype about racers.
Though, yes, more than a few of us have done stupid things, albeit without hazarding lives, boats, or careers. But it's especially silly to do it during the
Beer Can Series, as it's one of the most fun "regattas" of the year, much of that owing to it being low key, & as much about having fun as it is about chasing trophies.
Perhaps calls to the skipper's insurers are in order; boat, home, car, etc. I'm sure they'd be interested in what happened, & would "leave an impression on him" via his wallet, & their contacting other insurers. Not that he should be flailed to death. But had someone been injured or killed, or had the ship run aground, the skipper & bridge crew on the cargo carrier certainly would have recieved the "Joe Hazelwood treatment" (Exxon Valdiz's skipper). And as it is, all of those (above) personel will be forever under the microscope so long as they go to sea in professional capacities. So something severe in terms of punishment for the sailboat's skipper certainly is warranted.
EDIT: If the skipper was drunk, this is one of those (rare) times when I feel that the full extent of BWI laws should be applied to things. Well, that & several protracted sessions with thumb screws.
Also, Bravo (Zulu) to the crew of the cargo carrier. Such is a nightmare scenario to/for anyone who's driven large ships. And probably more than a few
commercial skippers' & mates might not be able to refrain from administering a little "rough justice". Regardless of the offical findings, & aftermath.
It ain't PC (nor legal), but sometimes it's surely justified.