Quite a number of years ago I remember racing on a light air day at West Van, and a tug and tow came through the race course.. not an unusual event, at least not then when the forest industry was thriving.
A racer was on a tack to intercept the tow
line... believe it or not, the towboat operator actually slowed down to let the coasting barge sink the tow
line to 'let the guy through'.. I couldn't believe it. The boat did not take up the offer, but it was something I'd never seen before, nor since.