Looks like a Sydney ferry, so *downunder.

That boat was not under control at all. The jib is starting to rip and god only knows why they had the spinnaker pole attached.

Adding video to channels (Downunder) - requested by ChaosEngine.

I just took a closer look too; is that a spinnaker pole OR---was that part of some sort of awning support that went fore and aft? And why would you have that rigged?

Looks like they'd lost the job sheet and it was flogging; there's, what, three people in the cockpit? They don't seem to be doing anything at all while staring at their own near death.

Wait, it's a spinnaker pole (? and yah, why is that rigged) AND some sort of other pole extending out over the cockpit.
I think.

Sorry, one more detail; the newspaper story. Ferry altered course to port (left) to try and dodge but there was a reef/rocks and she couldn't move much more---
Had to stop and assist the rather clueless sailors.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/sailboat-hits-queenscliff-ferry-as-end-of-summer-storm-lashes-harbour/story-fngr8hax-12272
44849376

Looks to me like that guys cap-hat wasn't fastened securely enough to his bow-head. You can clearly see it flogging off uncontrollably into the sea. Just awful seamanship. Awful.

When in doubt turn hard right. Also its down under so he was probably drunk.

When in doubt don't sail such a small boat in that weather.

Hehe, this guy

I was wondering about the spinnaker pole too, seemed a bit of a brave move in those conditions! As did completely un-reefed sails. Looks like they'd read the book as far as 'let the sails out to slow down or stop' but not got any further.

One thing they could have done to avoid the collision is just pull the main in, hard. Would have screwed the boat round into the wind and either stopped it there or more likely forced a tack, leaving the boat sailing happily away from the ferry. The guys sailing it just panicked and did nothing. Fortunately it looked like there wasn't too much damage done but this sort of thing bothers me. Ignorance like this kills.

I wanna holler the loud funny words.

Two points abaft the beam mast port side was breach of the main deck hull. Jib jab yarr rip rap scowed the anchor, but Jesus only knows why the scuttlebutt was a spanker for the third mate's tailshaft. Iceberg right ahead!

I'll have a pint of what lucky760's drinking!