Who is allowed to exceed headway speed?

The correct choice identifies that vessels actively fishing or picking up skiers are allowed to exceed headway speed. This makes sense because these activities typically require more maneuverability and speed to ensure safety and efficiency. For instance, fishing boats may need to position themselves quickly to pursue a school of fish, while vessels picking up skiers must maintain a certain speed to ensure the safety of the skiers being towed.

Headway speed is generally defined as the slowest speed at which a vessel can maintain steerage, ensuring safety and minimizing the risk of accidents in crowded or sensitive environments. However, exceptions are made for certain activities where quick adjustments or higher speeds can serve a critical function, as seen in the case of fishing and water sports.

In contrast, other options like any vessel at all times or only commercial vessels do not specify clear purposes that necessitate exceeding headway speed, while vessels in distress, although they do have exemptions, are not the main focus here. Thus, the focus on actively fishing or engaging in water sports highlights both the need for speed in specific scenarios and aligns with recreational boating safety protocols.