When is a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver considered to be in need of assistance?

A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver is typically considered to be in need of assistance when it is conducting operations that limit its ability to navigate as usual. This includes situations where the vessel is actively involved in specialized tasks such as mineclearing operations. During mineclearing, the vessel's movement and maneuverability are significantly impaired due to the nature of the task, which involves ensuring safety and navigating sensitively around potential hazards.

Engaging in mineclearing requires the vessel to follow specific routes and avoid areas that may contain mines, making it less capable of reacting to other vessels or navigational challenges. Therefore, such a vessel would be deemed in need of assistance due to the inherent risks and limitations associated with its operations.

In comparison, while vessels engaged in fishing activities or towing another vessel may face challenges, their navigation is not as severely restricted to the same extent as in mineclearing operations. Similarly, a vessel that is aground does not necessarily mean it is actively performing a task that limits its ability to maneuver; rather, it is stuck and thus unable to move. Therefore, conducting mineclearing operations stands out as a clear example where assistance is vital due to the operational restrictions imposed on the vessel.