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.