Personal Watercraft (PWC) Regulations 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.
- PWC must not be operated at speeds above 6 knots within 100 feet of any wharf, pier, or jetty, or of another vessel except when crossing or overtaking.
- On State waters, except of the Atlantic Ocean, PWC must not be operated at speeds above 6 knots within 100 feet of any bridge abutment, another PWC, or people in the water.
- On Maryland waters of the Atlantic Ocean, PWC must not be operated within 300 feet of people in the water or surf fishermen.
- PWC must not be operated above idle speed in waters less than 18 inches in depth, except when necessary to maintain speed for overtaking or crossing.
- Dangerous operation of a PWC is unlawful, this includes:
- Weaving through congested traffic
- Wake jumping in a dangerous manner (e.g. unreasonably close or when visibility is obstructed)
- Playing “chicken”
