To be considered engaged in fishing, a vessel must be using fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability.

• A. Requiring a pilot on board for fishing operations
• B. Remaining moored while gear is deployed
• C. Being underway with no gear deployed
• D. Using fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that a vessel is considered engaged in fishing when it is using fishing gear in a way that limits its ability to maneuver. That restriction on movement is what defines its status under the rules, because fishing vessels have special considerations for other vessels operating around them. In this case, the defining factor is the use of fishing apparatus that restricts maneuverability, which directly fits the definition. The other scenarios don’t hinge on gear that restricts movement: needing a pilot on board is unrelated to fishing status, being moored with gear deployed may or may not limit maneuverability but the explicit condition of “using fishing apparatus which restricts maneuverability” best captures being engaged in fishing, and being underway with no gear deployed clearly isn’t fishing.