Glossary · Sailing & navigation
UFO
Also called: OFNI, objet flottant non identifié, unidentified floating object, collision
Unidentified floating object: a container, log, debris or sea animal hit at sea.
Hitting UFOs is a major cause of damage in offshore racing: broken rudders and foils, damaged hulls. The term also covers collisions with whales, which organisers try to avoid with exclusion zones and detection systems.