Another ****** intimadating act! CR Area!

tracker · 09-11-2006, 12:11 PM

Anyway I fished both saturday and sunday. Saturday we got 12 fish and 23 sunday. While out saturday morning jigging up some bait or at least trying to we were approached by the local coasties. What a great bunch of guys!
"Captain, what is the size of your vessel!"
"2601 sir!"
"Captain the bar is restricted to 24 and under so you may cross!'
" Thank you sir!"
The 47 now speeds off in search of someone else to save! But is suddenly seen to turn around and speed back.

"Captain did you know this is a restricted area?"
"Yes sir I do!"
Captain, then why are you fishing?"
We are just trying to get bait sir"
"Captain this is a restricted area"
"Sir I will wait for the Fish and Game if you want to call them but we are going to keeping trying to catch bait, we are not fishing for salmon"
"Ok Captain, be safe!"

What a great bunch of guys! I do mean that!

We did have a short intimadating session with a big blue trawler out there. We were stopped on a scool of fish with a couple on and casting for more. This trawler came into our space (200yds) and made a 90 degree turn to our stern. It was obvious and very concerning. Those out there heard me tell the trawler to turn immediately or my next call would be to the coast gaurd for assistance. I also mentioned I was videoing the events unfolding. Well he turned very fast, in fact I was wondering how he was able to not screw up his gear with the sharpness of his turns, and headed clear out of the area. Just plain left the whole area. I think those on my boat would confirm that it was for intimadating purposes only. I did not get too close to him. I was stopped. He could have trolled right on past and never came closer than 200 yds. Instead he chose to make a very sharp turn to run up my stern. Dont let this stuff go unchallenged out there. I could have easily outrun him to stay out of trouble but should not have had to even think about it. I would like to know what the Coast Gaurd would have done if I had made the call to them stating I felt I was in danger of being run down as a deliberate act?

Herring Problem · 09-11-2006, 12:25 PM

Hey Tracker, send the video to the Coast Guard and file a complaint with them on the boat. See if they will do anyhting to the Captain or Owners. That film should be interesting!

Spindrifter · 09-11-2006, 12:26 PM

Tracker, I was aboard Minaki Saturday and heard you on the radio with the CG.
That is just plain insane

These guys need a message sent for sure

CATCH AND EAT · 09-11-2006, 12:43 PM

Dave, I heard ya out there Sunday warn that guy. Did not see what transpired but that kind of stuff has to end.

I warned off one charter that he needed to change course. we were heading toward each other so I steered to his port side. as we drew closer he kept steering toward me and I suggested he change his course to avoid a incident. Thankfully he was listening. Perhaps I was a little short with him and perhaps he had other intentions but from my perspective it did not look good.

There were a lot of boats out there Sunday and we darn near needed traffic signal at times but the tuna fishing was great and we were all in great spirits.

Just keep watch out there, ya never know what is coming your way.

ron m · 09-11-2006, 12:44 PM

Tracker, that worked well and I'm glad it did. But I think a call to the USCG on 16 would have worked as well and maybe done more to prevent future incidents.

These kinds of incidents should NOT be happening.

BTW, what channel did you use to convey your message?
ron m

Teton · 09-11-2006, 12:57 PM

Dave, glad to hear you had some success last weekend! Too bad it wasn't without drama. :whazzup:

Paddler · 09-11-2006, 01:03 PM

Wow. Amazing behavior by the commercial captain. Wonder what the heck they're thinking. Good job on the video, please post it here in addition to sending it to the CG with your complaint. What was the name? The last one was the "Alaska", if I recall.

fishindude · 09-11-2006, 01:09 PM

never mind. this post would have been deleted anyway.

Mark Mc · 09-11-2006, 01:16 PM

Slow down you guys. Just because of one incident (the ALaska), it doesn't mean that every commercial guy is a jerk.

Perhaps you need to be open to another possibility. Maybe you are not familiar with commercial dragging. They usually follow a very particular track, or a "tow". If it is a bottom dragger, they will often get to a certain waypoint right before a drag snag (rock pinnacle, or sudden shallowing). So they have to turn before they get to it.

Furthermore, a dragger with gear in the water fits the COLREGS definition of "vessel engaged in fishing." (whereas a bait boat that is drifting, or a troller with lines in the water, is not "engaged in fishing'). What makes it fit the definition is that the deployed fishing gear restricts its ability to maneouver.

Such a "vessel engaged in fishing" HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY over other vessels, unless such other vessels are under a situation that is higher up on the right-of-way heirarchy.

So before you ascribe intentions to this other vessel ("HE WAS TRYING TO INTIMIDATE ME!!!!!") perhaps it would be more prudent to establish radio contact, and find out what his situation is. In addition, you should look to see if he is displaying the day shape & lights that indicates his situation.

It is a very common practice to have such a conversation. Simply get on channel 16 and say something like "this is (name of boat), hailing the (color / name / length) vessel at 46 o7 north, 124 58 west. I am the vessel off your (port bow, etc). Could you please tell me your intentions?"

If he does respond, he'll then tell you if he wants to continue a tow, whether he is able to turn or not, etc. You can also tell him what your preference is, in case he has the option. However, if he only has one option of which way to go, because his gear is in the water and he is "engaged in fishing", then he has the right of way.

Now, if a guy really is being a jerk and trying to intimidate (like the Alaska was apparently doing) then of course this is indefensible. But you might want to be sure which it is...before running off to the Coast Guard.

Mark Mc · 09-11-2006, 01:28 PM

rule 3

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.

rule 18

rule 18

(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.

rule 26

rule 26

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

(b) A vessel when engaged in trawling, by which is meant the dragging through the water of a dredge net or other apparatus used as a fishing appliance, shall exhibit:

two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;
a masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light; a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;
when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.

CATCH AND EAT · 09-11-2006, 01:44 PM

You're right of course Mark but I have had this happen to me more than just once and really there is not much excuse for this type of behavior.

backlash442 · 09-11-2006, 01:49 PM

The trawler was setting gear? The reason I ask is because albacore are aren't taken with nets. At least on the this coast. I've been told it's strictly a jig boat fishery and this by commercial fisherman. They wrap yft and bft with seiners I belive but not albacore.

If you think 200 yards is close you'd hate fishing around the charter/party boats in So. Cal. They get so close you could order from the galley.

Mark Mc · 09-11-2006, 02:05 PM

...uh...yea....Dave said "TRAWLER" he did not say "troller". I assume that Dave knows the difference, and that it was indeed a trawler, not a troller.

Quote:

.....with a big blue trawler out there. We were stopped ...... This trawler came into our space (200yds)......heard me tell the trawler

All my comments pertain to a "vessel engaged in fishing" e.g. a trawler, not a troller.

tracker · 09-11-2006, 02:30 PM

It was a boat trolling for tuna! I used trawler, maybe because I subconciously put him there. At the bottom of the heap! Anyway it was on purpose and I used 16 to make tha call. Did not have time to do otherwise without moving. Heard your call too Bernie! There was no name that we could see on the front! I need to get the video out and see what I got. Have not done that yet. Have just been sitting on the head between trying to clean the boat. The anti-biotics the Doc has me on for this spider bite are killing me!

FASTWATER · 09-11-2006, 02:34 PM

There was one very aggresive charterboat out there yesterday they even ran over or long lines at one point which with so many fish around I felt was totally bull plus we actually were trolling straight, in my opinion it was deliberate but since it was a working boat we just cruised away but I will be making a visit to their office to explain the emotions I was feeling at the time,some people!!!PEACE

CATCH AND EAT · 09-11-2006, 03:00 PM

White boat with cabin way up front?????? That was the one I was referring to anywho.

backlash442 · 09-11-2006, 03:42 PM

Mark Mc, I am a bit confused by your post. Is it in reference to my post or something else? I never used the word "troller".

Tracker was the boat a commercial or private boat?

Mark Mc · 09-11-2006, 03:54 PM

Backlash, I realize you never said "troller."

Oy Vey...this thread has a lot of confusion in it. (troller vs trawler, netting tuna...etc)

Tracker said "Trawler" so I thought he meant a trawler who was already dragging gear (doing a tow), not putting gear out.

It boils down to a simple ranking:

If it is a trawler doing a tow, he has the right of way over other "ordinary" vessels. He should have day shapes (inverted cones) and lights to show it.

If it is a troller (whether a tuna troller or salmon troller) or a bait boat, the normal rules (crossing, overtaking, etc) apply.

Knowing which one (of the above) can be an important part of a decision of how to respond.

And of course, you do what you have to do to stay alive and not get run over. That's in the rules too, believe it or not.

Sweepy · 09-11-2006, 07:28 PM

In any cut of the population there are some people that can be difficult. We've all experienced aggresive rude behavior on the water and in other areas of human contact.

Most charter and commercial vessels have very responsible operators running their craft. Errors and lack of concentration happen, intimidation with larger vessels is not to be tolerated. Some vessels may be guilty of illegal behavior and should be dealt with through legal avenues.
One or more intimidation tactics documented is enough to take legal action by appropriate authorities. Reputations follow the skippers of the commercial fleets.

I have no doubt illegal activity happens with sports and commercial industries. The commercial industry is possibly much easier to police, rogue skippers should be identified and dealt with.

If caught in a situation like this, I would have a passenger document speed, tack, and distance of encroaching vessel. Changing your tack, and the encroaching vessels tack, reveals the intent.

Chum Bucket · 09-11-2006, 08:45 PM

Yep, I think we're talking about the same charter, can't remember the name, lack of sleep at the time. He wasn't shy about getting close, but I let him know on the VHF I wasn't thrilled about losing 2 rigs. I hope the 400# mono eats his shaft seals!

"explain the emotions I was feeling at the time,some people"-I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that conversation!

8knots · 09-12-2006, 07:30 PM

I relly don't want to jump on a bandwagon, or over react. However, the week before at the same spot, we had a white charter boat run right over our lines. He wasn't fishing at the time, he just came right behind us, almost over our longest lines. I thought it was mighty strange since there were only a few boats in the entire area and we were not close to any of them. I wondering often afterwards why he ran so close and fast by us when we were no where near him. Really caught me by surprise. I am now sorry I did not make an effort to take down the name of the boat. I was under the impression he was out of Westport, but I wasn't trying to identify him. He was not live bait fishing, he was trolling and we were never close to him. It was wierd but I thought it was some kind of a mistake at the time. It could be we are all talking about the same charter boat.

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 09-12-2006, 07:45 PM

I was on Trackers boat on Sunday and the "Trawler" "******" definately made a move it should not have made.

It amazes me that when you get in to some good fishing that this type of thing could happen.....

Dave was very professional in his shout out to the other vessel and he obviously heard because when Dave mentioned video & coast guard, the Blue Trawler definately made a change of course.

Other than that, it was an awesome day on the big blue with the "Just Keep Fishing" team.....

Snakebite · 09-12-2006, 08:48 PM

PIRATES!

Act accordingly on the high seas!

SSS works out there as well! Only easier!

Argghh! and well be with Ya!

If I had....oh well never mind...

tracker · 09-13-2006, 01:49 PM

I have what video I have in my next video. It is hard to see color at all and the only video I have that is worth watching is just after he has made his turn away!

Herring Problem · 09-15-2006, 08:42 AM

This type of behavior is nothing new guys. Charters and ****** boats have been attacking recreation boaters for as long as I can remember. Years ago salmon charters would try to force sport boats off of hot salmon bite. Now with the fishing as it is, I think we are seeing this more and more because of technolgy. The phone camers,video's and regular cameras we all carry aboard now.

I believe we are going to be seeing more and more of these acts and unfortanately sooner or later someone will be ran down and people are going to be hurt or killed.

We can ask the Coasties for there input on how we should handle making a valid complaint agianst these boats and the Captains operating them.

I think Tracker you did the right thing about calling the trawler to avoid an incident. Being able to photagraph or video this kind of behavior will only add support to a valid claim in a court of law.

Just be carefull out there and keep someone one at watch ,at all times.

Just my 2 cents!

Chromaflage · 09-15-2006, 08:49 AM

The USCG has been pretty quiet on this board about this. I'm curious as to why. Not implying anything, but I'm sure that they are aware of this. I would like to hear some input from them on how to deal with such issues. It seemed that Tracker's approach was effective enough this time. As a new comer to the big blue, I have not encountered this, but it seems that many have and it just might be a matter of time. I turned to fishing the ocean to get away from some of the inland garbage - just to find out that this goes on 40 miles off shore. It's not enough to scare me off the ocean, but it is yet another thing to consider and be aware of....like we don't have enough to worry about already.

CrF

Maverick Maxcat · 09-15-2006, 09:58 PM

We also had issues with a white charter off Astoria while prefishing the (canceled) tourney. I beleive the boat was the Jeannie-Marie, or something close. He went out of his way to shove us off a hot bite! It didn't work, I just turned around him, but I was ready to offer him some free sinkers----.44 cal, delivered below water line! I was in Englund's the next day talking to the staff, when one asked me if I'd seen the Jeannie-Marie. When I called the boat an improper name they laughed and asked what happened THIS time. When I told the story, they said "ya, that's him!". The skipper obviously has a rep, with the intent to keep it. Perhaps someone should invite a USCG officer out for a day of fishing on a private boat. Nothing like a personal observation by a qualified person and a visit from a 47' MLB at the direction of said qualified person to change a skipper's attitude.....