CODE OF MARYLAND REGULATIONS
TITLE 08
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

SUBTITLE 18 BOATING - SPEED LIMITS AND OPERATION OF VESSELS
CHAPTER 02 PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
.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 or the U.S. Coast Guard:

(1) Personal watercraft engaged in a professional exhibition,
(2) A regatta,
(3) A motorboat race or other boat race,
(4) A marine parade,
(5) A tournament or exhibition.

.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 which:
(a) Has an inboard motor which uses an internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive propulsion;
(b) Is designed with the concept that the operator and passenger ride on the outside surfaces of the vessel as opposed to riding inside the vessel;
(c) Has the probability that the operator and passenger may, in the normal course of use, fall overboard; and
(d) Is designed with no open load-carrying area which would retain water.
(3) "Specialty prop craft" means a vessel less than 16 feet in length similar in appearance and operation to a personal watercraft but the primary source of propulsion is a propeller. For the purpose of this chapter, a specialty prop craft shall be considered a personal watercraft.

.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 Article, §8-712.2, Annotated Code of Maryland, as of January 1, 1996.

B. A person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft for the purpose of towing a person on water skis, aquaplane, or similar device, unless the personal watercraft:

(1) Has a capacity of three persons that includes the:
(a) Driver,
(b) Rear facing observer, and
(c) Water skier;
(2) Is specifically designed for water skiing by the manufacturer.

C. A personal watercraft operator born after July 1, 1972 shall carry a certificate of Boater Safety Education pursuant to Natural Resources Article, §8-712.2, Annotated Code of Maryland.

D. A person may not operate or give permission to operate personal watercraft on the waters of the State, unless each person on board is wearing a Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.

E. A person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the State between sunset and sunrise.

F. A person may not operate or give permission to operate on the waters of the State a personal watercraft unless it is equipped with a self-circling device, or a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch.

G. Notwithstanding the requirements of §F of this regulation, a person may not operate or give permission to operate on the waters of the State a specialty prop craft, unless it is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch.

H. A person may not operate or give permission to operate on the waters of the State a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch, unless the lanyard is operational and attached to the operator of the personal watercraft, the operator's clothing, or a personal flotation device worn by the operator.

I. A person may not operate or give permission to operate on the waters of the State a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a self-circling device, if the self-circling device or engine throttle has been altered in any way that would prohibit the self-circling device from operating in its intended manner.

J. Within the Maryland waters of the Atlantic Ocean, a person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft at any time:

(1) Within 300 feet of people in the water or surf fishermen; and
(2) At a speed of more than 6 knots within 100 feet of a wharf, pier, or jetty.

K. On Maryland waters other than the Atlantic Ocean, a person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the State at any time at a speed in excess of 6 knots within 100 feet of a shore, wharf, pier, piling, bridge structure or abutment, or people in the water.

L. A person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the State at any time at a speed in excess of 6 knots within 100 feet of another vessel, except when required to maintain speed in a crossing or overtaking situation pursuant to the Federal Inland or International Navigation Rules.

M. A person may not operate a personal watercraft in a negligent manner. The following are examples of negligent operation and are not intended to limit the actions which may constitute negligent operation:

(1) Jumping, or attempting to jump, the wake of another vessel, within 100 feet of the vessel;
(2) Following within 100 feet of a water skier;
(3) Weaving through congested vessel traffic;
(4) Speeding on restricted areas; and
(5) Operating a personal watercraft in a manner that endangers the life, limb, or property of a person, including the operator.

N. A personal watercraft livery owner, or the livery owner's agent or employee shall:

(1) Prominently display these regulations governing personal watercraft.
(2) Advise renters to read the regulations.
(3) Within 30 days of the effective date of these regulations, add to the rental contract a statement that the renter or operator has read and understands the personal watercraft regulations. This statement shall be signed by the renter or operator, retained in the files of the livery operator for at least 30 days, and be made available to the Department upon request.

O. Personal Watercraft Sticker.

(1) An individual may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft required to be numbered in this State on the waters of this State unless a regulation sticker supplied by the Department is attached to the personal watercraft.
(2) The sticker shall be attached to the upper half of the vessel in such a manner that the operator can read the information on the sticker.
(3) A personal watercraft livery owner, or agent, or employee may not sell, rent, or lease a personal watercraft in this State without the sticker attached in the manner required by this regulation regardless of whether the personal watercraft is required to be numbered in this State.

.06 Designated Areas.

The Department may establish special areas for the use of personal watercraft governed by rules and regulations particular to that area.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources
State Forest and Park Service
Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area
898 State Park Road
Swanton, MD 21561
301-387-4111