Maryland Boating Laws and Regulations

Maryland Boat Registration

Who needs boater's license in Maryland?

Anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must obtain a certificate of boating safety education before operating a motorboat or personal watercraft. The certificate must be in possession of the operator and readily available for inspection by a law enforcement officer whenever the vessel is in operation.

Maryland's Boating License Exemptions:

• Anyone at least 16 years old, who is resident of another state and is visiting the State for a maximum of 60 days in a vessel numbered in another state.

• Anyone who is visiting the State for a maximum of 90 days in a vessel from another country.

• A vessel that is being operated for commercial purposes.

• Anyone operating a vessel on a body of water on private property.

Age restrictions for boaters in Maryland

Anyone under the age of 16 without a boating safety certificate must be supervised by an individual born before July 1, 1972 or someone at least 18 years of age and who possesses a valid boating safety certificate when operating a motorized vessel 11 feet or greater in length. If the vessel is less than 11 feet in length, anyone possessing a valid boating safety certificate can provide supervision.

It is illegal for anyone under the age of 12 to operate a vessel towing someone on water skis or similar device.

PWC operators must be at least 16 years old, even if they have a boating safety education certificate.

Maryland PFD requirements

Operating under the influence of drugs and alcohol in Maryland

In Maryland, it is unlawful to operate a vessel (including PWC) or use water skis or a similar device while under the influence of alcohol or another impairing substance.

Maryland law defines operating under the influence (OUI) as operating a vessel or manipulating water skis or a similar device while having a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or greater.

Boating accident & Safe speed in Maryland

In the case of an accident, it is the vessel operator’s duty to immediately stop their vessel and give assistance anyone injured or in danger due to the accident, unless doing so would seriously endanger the operator’s vessel or passengers.

The vessel’s operator must supply his/her name, address, and vessel information (including the name and address of the vessel’s owner, if not the operator) to anyone injured in the accident as well as to the owner of any property damaged in the accident. 

It is the duty of the owner or operator of any vessel involved in a boating accident to file a full written report with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources within 48 hours if the accident results in:

• The death of a person

• Personal injury that requires medical treatment beyond first aid

Complying with Officers

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) are responsible for enforcing Maryland boating laws and regulations as well as all other laws of the State.  

Any person operating a vessel on the waters of the state is required to bring their vessel to a stop after having been requested or signaled to do so by a police officer. The operator must comply with the directives of that officer. 

Should an NRP patrol craft approach displaying a flashing blue light, the vessel operator, unless otherwise directed by the officer, must yield right-of-way, stop the vessel, and stay in that position until the NRP vessel has passed.

Personal Watercraft (PWC) in Maryland

• PWC operators must be at least 16 years old.

• All PWC operators, passengers, and anyone being towed must wear a USCG-approved Type.  

• Carry a certificate of boater safety education if born on or after July 1, 1972.

• Maintain 6 knots or slower within 100 feet of another PWC, vessel, shore, pier, piling, bridge structure, abutment or people in the water.

• All PWC must be fitted with a self-circling device or engine shut-off lanyard.

•  Operators of PWC equipped with an ignition safety switch must attach the engine shut-off lanyard to his or her person, PFD, or clothing

• PWC operation is only permitted during daylight hours (from sunrise to sunset)

• PWC may only be used to tow a person on water skis or similar devices if it has a capacity rating for at least 3 people: the operator, observer, and the skier, and is specifically designed by the manufacturer for towing skiers. more...

Unlawful boating operation in Maryland

Operators must navigate in a reasonable and prudent manner at all times, this includes maintaining a proper lookout, obeying all speed limitations, and being able to stop in the assured clear distance ahead.

Operating a vessel in a manner than unnecessarily endangers another person or the property of another considered reckless operation and is prohibited.

Towed water sports in Maryland

Anyone being towed behind a boat or PWC, in an activity such as waterskiing, must wear a properly fitted Type I, II or III USCG-approved PFD.

There must be a person, other than the operator, on board who is at least 12 years old, rear facing, and who continually observes the skier. 

The towing vessel must have a capacity rating at least equal to the number of people operating, observing, and being towed. 

Towing people on water skis or similar devices is only permitted from sunrise to sunset. 

Towlines must not be more than 75 feet in length, except for barefoot skiing when a 100-foot towline is permitted.

Towing vessels must remain at least 100 feet from the shore – except for when taking off from shore – piers, bridges, people in the water, and other vessels. 

It is illegal to operate the towing vessel in such as manner as to cause the skier to collide with any other person or object. Similarly, anyone being towed must not manipulate the device so as to endanger the life, limb or property of another person.

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in Maryland

Introducing non-native species into state or federally controlled waters can upset the ecosystem and hurt the environment by clogging waterways and crowding out native species.

You can help prevent the introduction and spread of non-native species from one body of water to another by checking, draining, cleaning and air-drying your boat and trailer.

Muffling device - sound signaling device - Fire extinguisher in Maryland

Power vessels manufactured after January 1990 must be equipped with a functioning and effective muffler system in order to reduce the engine exhaust sound level. Muffler cutouts are prohibited.

Vessels must not emit a noise level exceeding 90 dB on Maryland waters.