Lights & Shapes

[sgball]

Can someone please help me with an argument I am having with HWMBO.

I am doing the RYA Dayskipper course at the moment and we have just be doing lights and shapes.

I say that when HWMBO is fishing during the day with rod and line he should be displaying shapes. He says it only applies to commercial boats.

What do you think?

Trudie

 

[peterb]

The relevant quote is Rule 3(d).

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

Of course, if you are fishing whilst at anchor then you should be showing anchor shapes or lights. But if you are using a rod whilst under way, then I would think that you are not restricted in your manoeuvrability and hence do not fall within the definition of a "vessel engaged in fishing", do not get the priorities accorded such vessels under Rule 18, and should not show fishimg shapes or lights.

At no point in the IRPCS does the word "commercial" appear. The requirements relate to the activities and abilities of vessels, and not to whether those activities are carried out for payment or reward.

At least, that's what I teach on my Day Skipper courses.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by peterb on 08/12/2002 14:19 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[LadyInBed]

Rule 26 Fishing vessels.
(a) A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.

So IMO strictly, Yes, but not often, if ever, obeyed when rod and line fishing, like so many things e.g. motor-sailing cone.

 

[omega2]

If whilst angling at anchor you are struck by another vessel even though the moving vessel could be driving without due care, there could be a possible 'out' for the insurers if no black ball is displayed by the anchored vessel. IMHO

J HAMER

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Revised opinion

I forgot 3(d) so how wrong can I get!

 

[byron]

If a boat owner is just out doing a bit of pleasure fishing with a rod and line and at anchor it is perfectly acceptable to just show a Black Ball by day and an anchor light at night. Anyone who says different is just being pedantic.

http://www.alexander-advertising.co.uk

 

[LeonF]

Seems right to just show anchor shape. I brought this up on my Yachtmaster- rod and line is angling not fishing.

L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[peterb]

Definitions

That's one of the problems with IRPCS. So often the answer lies in one of the definitions, and we tend to forget such boring things.

Another similar problem that leads many people into trouble is the differentiation between Section II (Conduct of vessels in sight of one another) and Section III (Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility). All the rules relating to stand-on and give-way come under Section II; in fog those concepts don't exist.

 

[sgball]

Sorry to through a spanner in the works, but what if HWSBO is trowling with a rod & line?

 

[trev]

Trawling is fishing with a trawl net - towing a line through the water is trolling and the rules do not apply so long as the vessel can maneouvre.
If you read the rules more carefully your questions will be answered.

Trev

 

[BrendanS]

Actually colregs go out of their way to emphasise the different signals and lights a vessel should show when engaged in fishing, but not trawling. An easy guide is 'A Seamans Guide to the Rule of the Road' which clearly shows the different signals and lights for each activity.
....and according to the letter of the law (different to practical use) a vessel engaged in fishing never shows 'at anchor' signals or lights.