CG says trolling isn't fishing. Good info for all of us

[Sneaks]

A good reminder

Excerpt:

U.S. Coast Guard Operations Petty Officer Rusty Gulzow, at the Coos Bay Lifeboat Station in Charleston, said generally, a power-driven vessel has to stay out of the way of a vessel engaged in fishing, because fishing restricts a vessel's ability to maneuver.

Under that situation, the onus would have been on the Thompson to make sure it (research vessel) stayed clear of the 40 or so smaller blips on the radar screen.

But here's where it gets touchy: Trolling isn't considered fishing....

[Grumpy]

USCG "ABC" Boating safety course page 14 states "Vessel Engaged in Fishing": Any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trwls or other fishing equipment that restricts meneuverability; however this does NOT include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing equipment that does not restrict manageability

Verifed this point with CG just last week

Merv