A power-driven vessel is underway and fishing with trolling lines. This vessel

A power-driven vessel is underway and fishing with trolling lines. This vessel

• A. must keep out of the way of sailing vessels
• B. has no obligation to other vessels while trolling
• C. must maintain course and speed
• D. should stop near sailing vessels

Answer: (A)

When a power-driven vessel is underway and fishing with trolling lines, its maneuverability is restricted by the gear trailing behind it. In COLREGS terms, this makes the vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver (RAM). A RAM vessel must take early action to avoid collisions and, importantly, yield to other vessels that are not so restricted. Sailing vessels typically have priority over power-driven vessels in many situations because they can maneuver more freely and are not as limited by gear. Therefore, the fishing vessel should keep out of the way of sailing vessels, adjusting speed or course as needed to avoid impeding their passage. Stopping near sailing vessels or maintaining course without action would not be appropriate, and asserting that there’s no obligation to other vessels while trolling ignores the collision-avoidance duties.

When a power-driven vessel is underway and fishing with trolling lines, its maneuverability is restricted by the gear trailing behind it. In COLREGS terms, this makes the vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver (RAM). A RAM vessel must take early action to avoid collisions and, importantly, yield to other vessels that are not so restricted.

Sailing vessels typically have priority over power-driven vessels in many situations because they can maneuver more freely and are not as limited by gear. Therefore, the fishing vessel should keep out of the way of sailing vessels, adjusting speed or course as needed to avoid impeding their passage.

Stopping near sailing vessels or maintaining course without action would not be appropriate, and asserting that there’s no obligation to other vessels while trolling ignores the collision-avoidance duties.