Which vessel has the lowest priority in the pecking order of vessel types?

The correct answer indicates that a sailing vessel has the lowest priority among the given vessel types. In maritime navigation and the context of the COLREGs, the responsibilities that vessels have towards one another are often influenced by their operational status and the potential hazards they present.

Sailing vessels, although they possess some system of rights, are generally considered to have a lower priority compared to vessels that are constrained by their draft, fishing vessels, and those restricted in their ability to maneuver. Vessels constrained by their draft, for example, are navigating in shallow waters and cannot easily depart from their course, placing a higher precedence on their right of way to avoid beaching.

Fishing vessels typically have obligations to avoid collisions but may have specific rights, particularly when engaged in fishing activities, which might require them to be stationary or maneuvering in a manner that is necessary for their operations.

Vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver are often engaged in tasks that require significant room to operate safely, such as laying or picking up underwater cable, or conducting dredging operations. Their limited ability to maneuver places them at a higher priority within the COLREGs context to ensure safety and avoid accidents.

Thus, while sailing vessels have their own unique challenges, they generally rank lower in