RULE 3 - General Definitions - International
For the purpose of these Rules, except where the context otherwise requires:
2. The term “power-driven vessel” means any vessel propelled by machinery. Umm, I think the Halton Marine Unit needs to go back to school. First they hassle you about charts that aren't a requirement and now they are telling you a vessel operating with an electric motor is not a "power driven vessel." Maybe they should take the CPS course. Just sayin.
The only time a vessel under sail has to give way to recreational power driven vessel who is fishing would be if the guys fishing were at anchor......"not under command" ie. have lost their engines due to a mechanical malfunction or they are overtaking you.
The lake freighters only have right of way over blow boats when they are in a narrow river or channel where the freighter is either " constrained by her draft" or "restricted in her ability to maneuver." On the open lake they follow the same rules as everybody else.
I relieved a first mate about 10 years ago on the Upper Lakes vessel Quebecois who clipped a blow boat on lake O cause he thought he had right of way and didn't want to adjust the auto-pilot
. The big white paint mark was still on the bow when I joined the ship in Hamilton. He is no longer employed on board ship or holding a maritime navigation license. Not just cause he had a collision.....that happens all the time...cause he didn't know the regs and stated such when he told a Transport Canada Marine Safety Inspector he had the right of way.