Theoretically Speaking

OGITD

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You are a yacht seven miles off shore, sails rolled away / stowed, engine on tick-over fishing with rod & line.

Not always maintaining a 360 lookout as you might be below (heads, tea, food etc).

What should you display (if anything)?
 
Rule 3 d applies I think you will find

Therefore nothing ( except normal lights, as above, for a vessel under power at night)

(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
 
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All round red over white, or two cones, point to point.

Not making way through the water, so no other lights.
 
But!

I initially thought of the two cones, but I didn’t / we don’t fall into that category (or can / do we). So I thought of two vertical balls (can’t be in command when on the heads surely!)
Then I thought of both cones and balls ….. but you can’t be fishing and not under command ….. can you? …… but I definitely do know of two who were in this situation ( no not me :rolleyes:)

Then there was this chap:

StraightForUs_1.jpg
 
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I initially thought of the two cones, but I didn’t / we don’t fall into that category (or can / do we). So I thought of two vertical balls (can’t be in command when on the heads surely!)
Theh I thought of both cones and balls ….. but you can’t be fishing and not under command ….. can you? …… but I definitely do know of two who were in this situation ( no not me :rolleyes:)
Vessel not under command is defined in rule 3 f

(f) The term “vessel not under command” means a vessel which through some exceptional
circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep
out of the way of another vessel.​

I don't think making tea would qualify. In the heads ???? maybe. Depends perhaps how exception the need is perhaps
Use a bucket in the cockpit ... problem solved
 
VicS is right - a vessel with a single trolling line and able to manouvere is not 'engaged in fishing' per se.
Red over white would be OTT anyway, as it is specifically used as a warning of danger from surface gear: that such gear has been deployed for a distance of up to 150 metres from the vessel, in any direction (over 150 metres requiring an additional white light showing the direction in which the gear has been deployed) - in contrast to trawling (green over white) where the gear submerges fairly close to the vessel and as such does not constitute the same degree of danger towards other vessels as is presented by surface gear.
 
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If OGID is restricted, e.g. realistic fear of wrapping fishing lines round prop, then

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.


Rule 26 c for the cones it must be, backed up by a Phalanx :)
 
sounds as if we are at a Board !


Either you are NUC or restricted or fishing; combinations are not allowed. Whilst you might be techncially correct in changing shapes when going below for a pee, I'd stick up the ball/diamond/ball, and leave it up to encourage peole to stay away.


But you might then get some curious b*gger who comes along and asks if you want a tow....
 
Sounds Like A Plan

I'd stick up the ball/diamond/ball, and leave it up to encourage peole to stay away.
But you might then get some curious b*gger who comes along and asks if you want a tow....

My thoughts exactly.... but I'm always up for a chat & a social out on the Blue. :)

But not with that chap ... :eek: :mad:
 
I've often thought that Rule 26(e) is very significant, that: A vessel when not engaged in fishing shall not exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this Rule, but only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.

To include such a "Thou shalt not" Rule suggests to me that Colregs wishes to discourage the displaying of warning signals `just in case` or `to be on the safe side` - hence fishing activity is defined in terms of the gear and the ability of the vessel to manouvere.

If your vessel has a trolling line out and can manouvere - then you ain`t fishin` - at least by Colregs` definition of the activity.
 
Most if not all ignore this

I've often thought that Rule 26(e) is very significant, that: A vessel when not engaged in fishing shall not exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this Rule, but only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.

Or they do on the Clyde. :(
 
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