Maryland Administrative Code

.02 Exceptions. This subtitle does not apply to: A. An activity listed below in this section, if approved by the Department or United States Coast Guard: (1) Vessel engaged in a professional exhibition, (2) Regatta, (3) Motorboat race, or other boat race, (4) Marine parade, or (5…

.03 Definitions. A. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Act” means the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 (85 Stat. 213 46 U.S.C. 1451, et seq.) (2) “Arc of swing” means the circumference of the circle the radius of which is form…

.04 Rules of the Road. A. An individual operating a vessel on waters of the State shall comply with the: (1) Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980, 33 CFR §§83—90, as amended; and (2) International Navigational Rules Act of 1977, 33 CFR §§80—82, as amended. B. A person may not op…

.05 General Operation of Boats. A person may not operate or give permission to operate any motorboat or any vessel in a: A. Reckless manner to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person; or B. Negligent manner to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. Cross R…

.06 Water Skiing — Towed Devices Requirements. A. A motorboat towing an individual or individuals on water skis, aquaplane, or other similar device shall keep at all times at least 100 feet from the shore, wharf, pier, piling, jetty, bridge structure or abutment, or an individual…

.07 Operating Under the Influence of Intoxicants. An individual may not operate a vessel on the waters of Maryland while under the influence of alcohol, or any narcotic, drug, or barbiturate.

.08 Boating on White Water Portions of Designated Stream Segments. A. The provisions of this regulation apply to boating on any white water portion of stream segments designated in this regulation, but do not apply to stream segments not designated in this regulation. B. For purp…

.09 Wake Surfing. A person may not operate or give permission to operate a watercraft for the purpose of wake surfing less than 200 feet from a shoreline, marine structure (pier, dock, piling, jetty, bridge structure, abutment, bulkhead, regulatory buoy, channel marker, floating …

.10 Artificial Ballast. A manufacturer’s label shall be affixed to any portable ballast tank identifying the maximum capacity in gallons and/or weight in pounds and combined with the occupants may not exceed the maximum carrying capacity of the vessel as listed on the USCG loadin…

.01 Scope. A. The regulations of this chapter govern the use of personal watercraft on all waters of the State. B. Personal watercraft shall comply with all laws and regulations governing Class A vessels, unless otherwise noted in these regulations.

.02 Purpose. In addition to these regulations, personal watercraft operated on the waters of Deep Creek Lake are subject to restrictions under COMAR 08.08.02.01J.

.03 Exceptions. This chapter does not apply to: A. Personal watercraft used solely for the purpose of emergency rescue operations and associated training programs; B. The following activities, if approved by the Department of Natural Resources: (1) Personal watercraft engaged in …

.04 Definitions. A. In this chapter the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Class A vessel” means a motorboat less than 16 feet in length, as defined by the U.S. Coast Guard in 46 CFR §24.10-17. (2) “Personal watercraft” means a Class A vessel whic…

.05 Restrictions. A. A person may not lease, hire, rent, operate, or give permission to operate a personal watercraft unless: (1) The operator is 16 years old or older; or (2) The operator attained the age of 14 years old or older and met the requirements of Natural Resources Art…

.06 Violation of Regulations. A person who violates any provision of this chapter is subject to the penalties and fines of Natural Resources Article, §8-2001, Annotated Code of Maryland.

.01 Exceptions and Conditions. A. This chapter does not apply to: (1) A vessel or device used solely for the purpose of warning, protecting, or alerting the public of the existence of an emergency condition, including law enforcement and fire-fighting vessels; (2) An approved Dep…

.02 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Background sound level” means wind effects, and sound emission from sources other than the vessel being monitored. (2) “Economic hardship” means a determination by the Dep…

.03 Noise Level Limits. A. A person may not operate or give permission to operate a vessel on the waters of the State that emits a maximum noise level exceeding 90 dB(a). B. On the waters of Deep Creek Lake and from the mouth of the Northeast and Elk Rivers to include all tributa…

.04 Equipment. A sound level meter shall meet the American National Standards Institute standard for sound level meters found in “ANSI S.1.4 Type 1 or Type 2 Specifications for Sound Level Meters” (1971, 1983), and “ANSI S.1.4A”.

.05 Testing Procedures. A. The operator of the sound level meter for enforcement purposes shall be an officer with the Natural Resources Police who is qualified by training to operate sound level meters. B. When a vessel is equipped with a muffler cutout, muffler bypass, or other…

.06 Repealed.

.07 Economic Hardship Permits. A. The Licensing and Registration Service shall issue the permit on behalf of the Department. B. The permit shall be kept on board the vessel and made available for inspection. C. The permit shall be valid for 1 calendar year. D. Application for a p…

.08 Mufflers. A person may not own, operate, or give permission to operate on the waters of the State a vessel manufactured after January, 1990, that is not equipped with a muffler or system which muffles or suppresses engine noise to the established limits in Regulation .03 of t…

.09 Penalties and Fines. Violation of any regulation of this chapter is a misdemeanor and is punishable as provided in Natural Resources Article, §8-725.4, Annotated Code of Maryland.

.01 Definitions. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. B. Terms Defined. (1) “Aground” means a vessel that is touching the bottom and unable to move. (2) “Underway” means a vessel that is not aground, at anchor, or tied to shore. (3) “Upper Potomac …

.02 Life Saving Equipment. A. The operator of each vessel not subject to inspection by the Coast Guard shall be required to carry one lifesaving device of a type approved by the Coast Guard for each person aboard. B. In this regulation the term “vessel” has the meaning stated in …

.03 Equipment. The classes of boats and vessels and the equipment required on them shall be controlled by those classifications and equipment requirements set out and contained within the Federal Boat Act of 1940, the Federal Boat Act of 1958, the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971,…

.04 Upper Potomac River Life Saving Equipment. A. Except for persons aboard a vessel operating under a current Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection and in compliance with current Coast Guard regulations, a person aboard a vessel, raft, or tube shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard Appro…

.01 Back River. Back River encompasses all the waters of Back River and its tributaries westerly of a line beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39° 14.95' N., Long. 76° 24.05' W., then running 173° (True) to a point at or near Lat. 39° 14.30' N., Long. 76° 23.95' W.

.02 Long's Creek. Long's Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39° 14.950' N., Long. 76° 24.260' W., then running 270° (True) to the opposite shore, at or near Lat. 39° 14.950' N., Long. 76° 24.415' W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has…

.03 Rocky Point. Rocky Point encompasses the area beginning at the eastern tip of Rocky Point at or near Lat. 39° 14.955' N., Long. 76° 24.018' W., then running 175° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 14.923' N., Long. 76° 24.015' W., then running 216° (True) to a point, at o…

.01 Bohemia River. The Bohemia River encompasses all the waters of the Bohemia River and its tributaries easterly of a line beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39° 29.295' N., Long. 75° 55.487' W. (Town Point), then running 229° (True) to a point at or near Lat. 39° 28.490' N., …

.02 Middle Bohemia River. The Middle Bohemia River encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39° 28.300' N., Long. 75° 53.183' W.(Long Point), then running 19° (True) to a point at or near Lat. 39° 28.697' N., Long. 75° 53.005' W. (Parlor Point), and downstream of…

.03 Scotchman Creek. Scotchman Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39° 27.720' N., Long. 75° 52.570' W., then running 144° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 27.665' N., Long. 75° 52.518' W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a mi…

.04 Great Bohemia Creek. Great Bohemia Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39° 27.865' N., Long. 75° 50.230' W., then running 171° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 27.753' N., Long. 75° 50.208' W., and running to the head of the creek. This area …

.05 Little Bohemia Creek. Little Bohemia Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39° 27.257' N., Long. 75° 51.150' W., then running 194° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 27.123' N., Long. 75° 51.192' W., and running to the head of the creek. This are…

.01 Eastern Shore. A. The Eastern Shore areas, with their corresponding speed limits, are set forth in §§B—K of this regulation. B. Fairlee Creek. (1) Fairlee Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39° 16.040' N., Long. 76° 12.358' W., then running 142° (…

.02 Western Shore. A. The Western Shore areas, with their corresponding speed limits, are set forth in §§B—M of this regulation. B. Deep Cove Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 38° 48.317' N., Long. 76° 30.542' W., then running 265° (True) to a point,…

.01 Chester River. The Chester River encompasses all the waters of the Chester River and its tributaries easterly of a line beginning at a point, at or near Lat. 39° 2.38' N., Long. 76° 18.12' W., then running 77° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 3.17' N., Long. 76° 13.583'…

.02 Winchester Creek. Winchester Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 38° 58.382' N., Long. 76° 12.222' W., then running 108° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 58.353' N., Long. 76° 12.107' W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a …

.03 Rolphs Wharf. Rolphs Wharf encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39° 10.213' N., Long. 76° 2.160' W., then running 262° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 10.187' N., Long. 76° 2.397' W., then running 21° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 39° 10.510' …

.04 Castle Harbor Marina Basin. The Castle Harbor Marina Basin encompasses the area beginning at the east end of the north jetty at or near Lat. 38° 59.432' N., Long. 76° 16.685' W., then running 120° (True) to the east end of the south jetty, at or near Lat. 38° 59.415' N., Long…

.05 Chester River Yacht Club. The Chester River Yacht Club area encompasses a line beginning at a point at or near Lat. 39°11.234' N., Long. 76º 4.291' W., then running northerly along the shore to a point, at or near Lat. 39°11.518' N., Long. 76° 4.349' W., then running 94° (Tru…

.06 Queenstown Creek. A. Area. All of the waters of Queenstown Creek southeast of a line beginning at a point on shore defined by Lat. 39°00.130' N, Long. 76°09.820' W; then running 225° True to a point on shore defined by Lat. 38°59.830' N, Long. 76°10.210' W and southwest of a …

.07 Upper Corsica River. A. Area. All of the waters of the Corsica River south of a line beginning at a point on shore defined by Lat. 39°03.351' N, Long. 76°04.459' W; then running 103° True to a point on shore defined by Lat. 39°03.336' N, Long. 76°04.376' W and north of the Ma…

.01 Choptank River. The Choptank River encompasses all the waters of the Choptank River and its tributaries upstream of a line beginning at Blackwalnut Point, at or near Lat. 38° 40.200' N., Long. 76° 20.350' W., then running 134° (True) to Cooks Point, at or near Lat. 38° 37.867…

.02 Bolingbroke Creek. Bolingbroke Creek encompasses the area beginning at a point at or near Lat. 38° 36.132' N., Long. 76° 1.735' W., then running 41° (True) to a point, at or near Lat. 38° 36.233' N., Long. 76° 1.623' W., and running to the head of the creek. This area has a 6…