The narrowest of misses in a trial event alerted long-time friends Seng Huang Lee and Sam McKay to the demands of ocean racing as they prepared for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, beginning on Boxing Day.

They were both on board Lee's yacht, Scallywag, when it nearly got into a tangle with a small spectator ferry and a maritime boat, putting them in grave danger of a collision that could have cruelled their chances of making their first Rolex Sydney Hobart there and then.