Latest news is all are OK. Sailboat lost wind and could not get diesel engine started. Boat was actually a 32 footer. Local power boater plucked 6 of 7 people out of the water.

http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.../50073352.html

Some sailboats insist on "right of way". Its always amazing that they will turn in front of you forcing you to change course just to prove a point. Not saying this is the case here. Just another idea

witnesses say it was like watching 2 snails charge eachother in a vat of molasses...

The tug and barge have the right of way over the sailboat.

From what I've heard it was just bad timing for the sail boater and not making sure the motor would start. Ironically the river was still up then and there was plenty of water in the lower Peoria Lake to sail without even being in the channel except to get to and from the marina. In fact that may have been what he was doing. I have seen the same thing as Fossil. I have even pointed out to friends on the boat that no matter where I steer my boat, I'm going to be in the way. Don't think that was the case here.