What is true concerning a vessel engaged in fishing?

• A. The vessel may be using nets, lines, or trawls
• B. The vessel cannot fish near other vessels
• C. The vessel must always anchor when fishing
• D. The vessel may be exempt from the Rules

Answer: (D)

A vessel fishing is defined by the gear it uses to catch fish, such as nets, lines, or trawls. That gear is the giveaway that the vessel is engaged in fishing, and it helps explain how her maneuverability can be affected during operations. The statement about using nets, lines, or trawls is true because these are the common methods involved in fishing and are part of what the term describes.

The other options assert absolutes that don’t fit typical navigation practice: a fishing vessel is not restricted to staying away from all other vessels in a blanket sense, there’s no universal rule that a fishing operation requires Anchor, and there isn’t a blanket exemption from the Rules simply because a vessel is fishing. In practice, while fishing operations can limit maneuverability, all vessels must still comply with the collision regulations as far as practicable, and other vessels must take appropriate action to avoid collision.