[Capt. Lowtide]

By law you are required to stop and render assistance if a vessel is in danger.

A good buddy of mine was thrown out of his boat last year and was incoherant from blood loss. He motioned to other boaters as they passed him by without anyone stopping. He finally stood up and a passing boat saw blood everywhere. He is lucky to be alive after that incident.

The shrimp boat you saw was definately fishing with lines out, at this point I would have considered him another angler.

I would of stopped to see what the problem was, maybe he was in some fish and wanted to share his good luck. If I was feeling paranoid, I could have had the flare gun handy.

Then there is the old saying "curiousity killed the cat!"

 

[Capt. Lowtide]

Thank you Everett for your insight, I agree to your thinking of the shrimpers. I know many of them myself and respect them dearly.

This is a most unusual story. I know a bunch of the shrimpers around Seadrift. I do not believe any of these people would do you harm... hence, I hate to see them collectively dragged through the mud.
Having said that though... there is no guarantee that every man who operates a vessel that appears to be a shrimp boat is a shrimper or even a local. If the vessel or occupants would have been distressed they likely would have made a more vigorous display in hailing your boat. You probably did the right thing to keep moving.
You may want to contact TPWD or Calhoun County Sherriff Dept. if you seriously believe the guy was up to no good.
EJ

 

[Capt. Lowtide]

Glad to see someone stopped, good job Texas Flyfisher!