Modern systems allow trawlers to support covert operations without the conspicuous modifications of earlier intelligence ships. A small boat could put a team ashore, while the parent vessel retained a plausible commercial appearance. A small crew is easier to assemble and control than the complement of a large container ship. Proxy companies and foreign registration can separate the flag and home port from the state giving orders. AIS may show a trawler in an unexpected location without establishing who directs it. Non-state actors can also use these small, rugged craft for deniable operations.
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Small trawlers and proxy ownership complicate attribution
Small crews, discreet equipment, and proxy ownership make trawlers useful for covert operations while complicating identification.