The Spirit of Bermuda has filed a report with the U.S. Coast Guard regarding a collision with another vessel at the start of a US race.

The Bermuda Sloop Foundation board has outlined why it believes the other vessel was responsible for the accident, which resulted in no injuries on either vessel and only minor damage to the Spirit.

On September 6th the 112-foot Spirit was preparing to cross the start line of the 25th annual Gloucester Schooner Festival when there was a collision with the 50-foot Perception.

Perception was on a port-tack, windward of the Spirit prior to the collision. In a statement board members said Perception was obligated to keep clear under both the ISAF Racing Rules and the International Regulations for Avoiding Collisions at Sea.

Instead Perception tried to squeeze between Spirit and the starting buoy, an act which is called "barging" in the yacht racing rules and which is forbidden, as well as being considered poor seamanship, the statement said.

As Spirit approached the start line it slowed down, thus reducing its ability to maneuver quickly.

A spokesman for the board said: "Spirit took immediate evasive action once a collision appeared probable while Perception held her course. Spirit retired from the race immediately in order to render assistance to Perception as necessary

"Essentially Perception was in the wrong under any conceivable interpretation of maritime rules of the road. However, even if she had right of way her decision to squeeze in front of Spirit would have led to an inevitable collision. There simply wasn't sufficient room for her to safely complete the maneuver."

As a result of the Spirit's investigation into the incident it has filed a report with the US Coast Guard, which is also conducting an investigation into the incident. It has also made recommendations to the race organisers to increase the safety of the race by adopting internationally recognised rules against barging near the start line.

Despite the mishap one couple, Beta and Sandy Weedon, who were on the Spirit at the time of the accident said they enjoyed the trip.

"More than anything, we were so impressed by the level of professionalism, poise, seamanship and moral integrity displayed by the entire Spirit crew," the couple said. "Not an emotional or harsh word was spoken throughout the ordeal — not a hint of anger or recriminations — just total concern for personal health and safety first, and then how best to comply with the rules of the Race Committee and any other maritime rules that applied.

"It was truly a pleasure and an honour to have been witness to the experience."

This is the fifth race the Spirit has been in this summer, and first ever collision with another vessel since the programme started three years ago.

Spirit is now back in Bermuda to undertake 28 five-day voyages for Middle School students over the course of the 2009/2010 academic year.