The mast and rigging are over the starboard side, partly in the water. What are the two immediate dangers from the rig over the side?

A. The main danger is that the sails will continue to fill — the rig should be re-raised immediately

B. The rig in the water is stable — it reduces rolling and can be left while the Mayday is transmitted

C. The only danger is to other vessels — the rig is a collision hazard and must be lit with a flare

D. Danger 1: the rig acts as a sea anchor — it will pull the vessel beam-on to the seas and risk capsizing or swamping. The mast can also hole the hull where it contacts the topsides. Danger 2: the rig entangles the propeller — if the engine is engaged before clearing or securing the rig, the shaft may be fouled or bent, removing propulsion entirely

A. Action 1: call "MAST DOWN — ALL HANDS — GET CLEAR" immediately — crew clear of falling rig (mast, boom, and rigging wires striking crew is the primary injury risk). Action 2: put helm hard over to head into wind (reduces apparent wind loading on the collapsing rig). Then immediately: engine start, assess crew safety, assess hull damage

B. Action 1: try to grab the falling mast to control it. Action 2: bear away to reduce speed

C. Action 1: start the engine. Action 2: deploy the liferaft

D. Call Mayday immediately on Ch16 — then address the rig

A. The crew must recover all components — leaving the rig in the sea is a hazard to navigation

B. The rig should be towed behind the vessel — it will stabilise the boat in rough seas

C. Cut the rig away if it is endangering the hull or blocking the propeller — hull integrity and propulsion are worth more than £15,000 of spar. If the rig can be controlled alongside without threatening the hull, a partial recovery to deck is possible. With night approaching and Force 6, a clean cut and clear vessel is preferable to managing a 15m spar in the dark in rough seas

D. Only the boom should be cut away — the mast has sufficient value to warrant recovery in all conditions