Complying with Officers in Maryland
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.
Homeland Security in Maryland
Recreational vessel operators must not approach within 100 yards of US Naval vessels and must slow their vessel to minimum speed when within 500 yards of a US Naval vessel. If it is necessary to pass within 100 yards of a US Naval vessel to ensure safe passage, the operator must first contact the US Naval vessel or the US Coast Guard escort vessel on channel 16 of the VHF-FM radio.
Recreational vessel operators must observe and avoid all security zones and restricted areas (e.g. near dams and power plants), and avoid commercial port operation areas.
