Which item of equipment was NOT aboard MERIDIAN and would have most changed the outcome of this incident?

A. A bigger fuel tank — more fuel would have allowed a diversion to a nearer port

B. Handheld VHF radio: the loss of the masthead antenna left MERIDIAN with severely reduced communication range at a critical point. A charged, waterproof handheld VHF in the abandon-ship bag or grab bag would have restored effective communication capability immediately after the dismasting. Cost ~£150-200. This is the single highest-impact missing item

C. A taller jury mast — a longer spinnaker pole would have provided adequate sail area

D. A second GPS chartplotter — a backup screen would have replaced the lost masthead connection

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 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