Office of Communications

Boating Regulations and the Maryland State Boat Act

The Maryland State Boating Act was enacted in 1960 to work in harmony with the United States Coast Guard regulatory scheme and provided that revenue generated through regulating boating activity would be earmarked for boating and maritime purposes. Perhaps the most important idea was that in Maryland, boaters would administer boating with the support of the boating community.

Maryland State Boat Act Advisory Committee

The Maryland Boat Act Advisory Committee, BAAC, was established as part of the Boating Act in 1960. The purpose of the Committee is to make recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources on boating regulation requests. Members of the Committee include boaters and representatives from different water use organizations. The members are appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and have a variety of experience and expertise in boating related matters. The Committee meets on a regular basis to review regulatory requests. Meetings are open to the general public and public input is encouraged by the Committee members. To obtain information on the next Committee meeting, please view the ‘Upcoming Committee Meetings’ section or view the DNR Calendar Online or contact Mike Grant at (410) 260-8013 or Jeannine Moaney at (410) 260-8417.
 

Boat Act Advisory Committee Members

Coles Marsh, Chairman

Ramona Trovato, Vice Chairman

Officer at Large - Chris Parlin

Robin Allison

Kenneth Kloostra
John Bush Frederick Levitan

Amy Craig

Bob McLean

Russ Dwyer

Edric M. McSween

John Ferman

Robert Nickel

Thornell Jones

Jon Sheller

Steve Kling

Alvin L. Simon
Bob Slaff
Mark O'Malley, Director of Boating Services

Lisa Gutierrez, Division Director Boating Facilities and Access Planning

Mike Grant, State Committee Liaison

Jeannine Moaney, Staff Contact

Maryland State and Federal Requirements for Recreational Vessels

Maryland's waters offer wonderful opportunities for recreational boaters. With the ever-increasing number of boaters on our waters, it is the responsibility of all of us to work together to ensure that our waters are clean and safe.

Please invest the time to educate yourself in the practices necessary to be a safe and responsible boater by reviewing the brochure, checklist and course listings below. They contain everything you will need to know in regards to recreational boating in Maryland and it will help you to make your boating experience a safe and memorable one.

Chesapeake Bay Hotline

Call 1-877-224-7229

to report any of the following

  • Boating accident or reckless activity
  • Fish kill or algal bloom
  • Floating debris that poses a hazard to navigation
  • Illegal fishing activity
  • Public sewer leak or overflow
  • Oil or hazardous material spill
  • Critical area or wetlands violation
  • Suspicious or unusual activity