What is illegal for a vessel operator to do in relation to navigation?

Anchoring an unoccupied vessel in a traveled portion of a river is illegal because it poses a significant hazard to navigation. When a vessel is anchored in a busy waterway, it can obstruct the path of other vessels that are navigating through the area. This increases the risk of collisions and can lead to dangerous situations for both the anchored vessel and passing boats. The regulations governing navigation are designed to ensure that waterways remain safe and accessible for all users, which is why anchoring in high-traffic areas is prohibited.

In contrast, stopping a vessel in open water to fish, operating at high speeds in narrow channels, and riding with too many passengers may also present risks, but they do not specifically involve the same level of immediate danger to navigation and traffic flow as anchoring an unoccupied vessel in a traveled waterway. Each of these actions may be governed by other safety or operational regulations but does not carry the same direct implications for navigation safety as placing an unoccupied vessel in a busy area.