legal question

Does anybody know if it is illegal to fish around ferry docks when the ferry isn't around?

I did it the other day and saw no posted no fishing signs... I did see no diving or skin diving within 100 yards of ferry docks
I got slammed every drop before it even hit the bottom lol

I dunno, but I'd hate to get slammed by the ferry.

Does anybody know if it is illegal to fish around ferry docks when the ferry isn't around?

I did it the other day and saw no posted no fishing signs... I did see no diving or skin diving within 100 yards of ferry docks
I got slammed every drop before it even hit the bottom lol

What did you catch?

Does anybody know if it is illegal to fish around ferry docks when the ferry isn't around?

YN, not sure if it is legal but I would guess not.  The reason I say that is because last year I was bass fishing near Montlake by the bridge and was stopped and cautioned that it is illegal to fish within 100 yds of the bridge structure --was told it was because of 9/11.
In Elliott bay the ferries are often escorted by Coast Guard units with mounted automatic weapons--seems a fairly serious attempt to protect this transportation system.  That said, smaller terminal piers might not be watched or protected in the same way--just don't try it downtown 

Rob.

The Coleman Docks are a pretty rough area with the Ferry traffic, Argosy boats, and you have the police/fire boat station right there as well.  I'd stay away for safety concern irregardless of legality.  The ferries also put out one heck of a rip current when the come into the docks and hit the reverse engines.

yessno+coleman docks kayak fishing=death wish

Well i was at the fauntleroy terminal...I have kayaked this area a pretty good many times now so I realize the danger of the ferries themselves...but when they only run one or 2 ferries it takes almost an hour for them to get back to the slip...

I fished it when there was no ferry...I can see them coming from miles away so I was keeping a look out.

And I caught a rock fish but the others felt bigger...I have been told they used to catch big lings off of the pilings but that was a long time ago

well, start diggin thru yer regs book and don't forget to look online at their site , too... also check the boating regs.. there's gotta be restriction listings somewhere.

then call the local cops, whichever branch handles the ferry terminal areas, and go ask them face to face... do not do it over the phone, you never know what answer you'll get.

hate to see you end up a statistic, or worse lose your entire rig because of some legality you were unaware of.

huntinhik an d I r going to try the same thing near the southworth ferry....

lol...well I emailed the wdfw email adress they list for legality questions but probably won't get a response for quite a while if I know how the government works  and even then it may not be correct if they aren't the governing party...or maybe even if they are (ya I do have a lot of faith in our government)

I've checked the fishing regs and I can't find it (doesn't mean it isn't there somewhere)

I will have to do some more research...I might just go down and ask the guy working the dock lol

I will have to do some more research...I might just go down and ask the guy working the dock lol

Be sure to start your conversation with...

"Hey, if I can catch you a fresh fish........"

you probably should be checking with WSDOT or homeland security...or the CG...they are the ones who will probably come after you in the nice little speed boats with blue lights flashing and haul your butt to jail, confiscate your yak, handcuff, strip search, interrogate all of us first AND THEN ask what you were doing out there??.....

dont tell them you were hauling little bombs about a public transportation terminal...after all you do look suspicious right?     they have NO sense of humor whatsoever

did i ever tell you about the time HS stopped me because i was transporting "suspicious" looking plumbing parts in my boat? 

seriously though i think you are required to stay XXX distance away from a ferry...

here ya go:

Coast Guard reminds boaters of cruise ship, ferry security rules

Jun 11 2008


The Coast Guard is reminding mariners and recreational boaters to avoid approaching large passenger vessels, such as cruise ships and Washington State Ferries, whether these vessels are underway, moored or at anchor.


A large passenger vessel, or LPV, is defined as any cruise ship, auto ferry or passenger ferry over 100 feet in length, carrying paying passengers. This includes Washington State Ferries and Alaskan Marine Highway ferries. The security zone enforced by the Coast Guard is a 500-yard radius around all LPVs and are necessary to enhance public and maritime safety. These safety and security zones are in effect at all times whether or not the Coast Guard is present.


Specifically the Code of Federal Regulations states:


— When within a large passenger vessel security and safety zone, all vessels must operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course and must proceed as directed by the on-scene official patrol or large passenger vessel master.


— No vessel or person is allowed within 100 yards of a large passenger vessel that is underway or at anchor, unless authorized by the on-scene official patrol or large passenger vessel master.


— No vessel or person is allowed within 25 yards of a large passenger vessel that is moored.


To request authorization to operate within 100 yards of a large passenger vessel that is underway or at anchor, contact the on-scene official patrol or large passenger vessel master on VHF-FM channel 16 or 13.


There are exceptions to this rule which are outlined in the full regulatory text, found in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 165.1317. Click here.

The way I read it, it covers boats being near the LPV, not the dock.  So if he waits till the LPV moves out, whips in there, bags a few fish and gets back out before the LPV returns, he should be legal. 

The way I read it, it covers boats being near the LPV, not the dock.  So if he waits till the LPV moves out, whips in there, bags a few fish and gets back out before the LPV returns, he should be legal. 

While you may technically be correct (I'm not too sure though), I would bet LEO would differ on that opinion and your fishing fun and time would likely be greatly reduced. Is it worth the hassle?

Jay

i would hope that if you were very careful about staying along way away from any ferry you might not get hassled...but you never know...i would think that the fishing should be pretty good around the piers