even though they can be jerks, the rules are on the side of the trawlers.they have the right of way.even over the lowly snailboats.
i had one cut my anchor line once when i set up on the n/w corner of the bank.
we were 20 miles offshore pre-dawn, not a boat in sight, and an 1/2 hour later this herring trawler cut right accross my bow severing 300' of anchor line.blaintantly obvious to everyone on board!
his comments to me were "now why would i do that on purpose and risk damaging my net" after i was screaming at him on ch 16 for everyone to hear the name on his boat{coasties were yelling at me to get off 16} he admitted that we should have seen him working the area.
then i scan the vhf and hear him brag to his buddy, how we should have known better than to set up on the "hot spot" geeeee we were the first ones there in the morning for a reason!!!!!
he still wouldn't MAN up and offer to replace the anchor setup.
black trawler RAZZO out of glouster, i'll never forget
mike