Crabbers versus sailing school!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fishing Maniac]

Yesterday on the severn I was running traps while another crabber was running a trotline parallel to us about 100 yards away.We had both been there about 2 hours when the sailing school from annapolis decided to move in right on top of us.The sailers were wooshing by the trotline guy right in front of him while he was in the process of checking his line.The teachers were idling right next to my traps.It was a mess and terribly impeded us both.They did not like it when I hollered at them and ignored us.Please tell me they don't have this right just because they are sailboats.

[bountyhunter39]

it was crazy on the Bo yesterday too with sailboaters that didn't have a clue how to run one. They came so close to us we had to move to be safe . These sails boats were leaning so hard to the side that it look as if they were going to go over. The water was up to the bow rails and that was running a straight course , I don't think that they could of turned to avoid us if they tried.
I think you must have to take a boater course to run one of them they way we saw so many yesterday just running fast & uncontrollable.

[Fishing Maniac]

A whole bunch of those sailing school boats blew over.There was a small one blown over in the annapolis anchorage there too.The only justice I could get for their interference.[grin]

[Capt. Dale]

Blowboats do have R/W when under sail over power boats.

[dogbig]

That sailing school has been teaching kids to sail in that area for years, I would have put up with them or just moved.

[rrr]

Yeah sailboats have the right of way but they are annoying and the bass boaters in the Boh need to have some respect for everyones personal space.

[mikie]

Sailboats may have the right of way in various confrontations with powerboats under normal operations. But I'm not so sure that they have the right to interfere with a fishing activity where the fishing gear is stationary in the water (such as crab pots or trotlines which are anchored to the bottom). All operators have the obligation to avoid a collision regardless of who has the legal right of way. It would be an interesting question for the authorities - especially if a sailboat would hit someone while they were in the middle of their trotline.

[Butcher]

Sailboats do not have the right of way over fishing vessels or over a vessel with another under tow. This being a sailing school in question, you think they would be tought that. Then again we are talkingh about sailboats in Annapolis .[grin][grin

Of course you should avoid a collision at all costs, but there are rules for that reason.

See the USCG Rules of the road below

Thanks,
Butch



RULE 18
RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN VESSELS

Except where Rules 9, 10, and 13 otherwise require:

(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

a vessel not under command;
a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
a vessel engaged in fishing;
a sailing vessel.

(b) A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of the way of:

a vessel not under command;
a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver;
a vessel engaged in fishing.

(c) A vessel engaged in fishing when underway shall, so far as possible, keep out of the way of:

a vessel not under command;
a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver.

[Capt. Dale]

The rule I was taught refering to a fishing vessel was one using a haul sane not a trot liner or a guy trolling in the bay.

[rj]

The term 'vessel engaged in fishing' is usually interpreted as applying to Commercial fishing boats only,,most, if not all recreational fishing and crabbing bats do not fall into this catagory

d) The term 'vessel engaged in fishing' means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict maneuverability.

[Butcher]

Although I agree partially in what you say, a sailboat is certainly not limited in maneuverability. If you have ever seen one tack, they can turn within their own length much like a twin engine powerboat, and do it while traveling at 10 knots, try doing that while trolling a dozen lines, boy what a mess.

For many years I ran a corporate yacht used to entertain customers which were docked in West River. For some reason they always had me pick up and drop off the party at the City Dock in Annapolis. And it would amaze me that every Sat and Sun AM the sailing school would be in session right in the mouth of the Severn, while the entire bay would be empty. So I can sympathize wit the crabbers in the Severn.

Thanks,
Butch

[Capt. Dale]

Thanks Rich,
I was to lazy to retreave 'Chapmans Ploting Seamenship and Boat Handing'.

[Capt. Dale]

Opps[smile]

[mikie]

I was taught the same thing Dale, our instructor at the time specifically emphasized that trolling with fishing lines was NOT included under the vessel fishing rule.
I believe if a sailboat ran into me while running a trotline I'd have a very good case in court - almost the same thing as if a sailboat would run into you while you were drifting and fishing.
I don't want to get into a big discussion over the Rules of the Road, a sailboater would have a hard time justifying his actions in court under those conditions.

[rj]

The US Coast Guard now publishes the Navigational Rules online and they are available for download here.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/navrules.htm

[rj]

It is a common misconception that drifting fisherman have have the same status as an anchored boat!!

Check out the definition of 'underway'
if you are drifting and fishing ,you are considered as 'underway' and would be obligated to 'give way' to an approaching sailboat or powerboat that would be considered the 'stand on vessell' in many crossing and overtaking situations.

if I am drift fishing I would be obligated to move out of the way of an approaching sailboat

(i/h) The word 'underway' means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground.

[C-Hawk18]

Rich,
I would have to say that, IMHO, a trotline fits in the catagory
of

'other fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability'

[mikie]

Like I said RJ, I don't want to get into the 'Rules of the Road' discussion. See Ya.

[Capt. Dale]

I agree Mikie: I have to many crabs to pick to argue But
Would a trot liner really be classified as a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, If all that is required to do is lift the trotline off the prop stick thus freeing her from the line?
I don’t think so. Just my HO.
[smile]

[C-Hawk18]

Capt Dale,

By dropping your line back off the roller you would be dis-engaging in your fishing activity. I think the law is worded the way it is just to stop that from happening. It is worded so the Fishing Vessel does not have to alter his course or stop fishing to give way to the sailing vessel.

[Butcher]

This is where a large Bungee Cord Sling Shot and about 3 pounds of week old chicken necks might come in handy !!

Butch

[Durado]

If all that is required to do is lift the trotline off the prop stick thus freeing her from the line?


.....and sailboat need only, turn the rudder. I'm thinking that you won't see too many sailboats where on would normally trotline.....6-8 ft of water would be cutting it too close for the sailboats rudder......the ability to detect and avoid dangerous situations before they arise, is what makes a good captain....sailboater or fisherman.

[Capt. Dale]

Here,Here Chris: I'll drink to that.
So endeth the lesson.