Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Who May Operate a Vessel
All persons born on or after July 1, 1972, must have in their
possession a certificate of boating safety education to operate
a numbered or documented vessel (including personal watercraft)
legally on Maryland’s public waters.
The certificate of boating safety education is obtained by successfully
completing a boating safety education course or passing an equivalency
examination approved by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The certificate is valid for the lifetime of the person to whom
it is issued.
Those born after July 1, 1972, are exempted from the above requirements
if they:
- Are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard to operate a commercial
vessel or …
- Visit Maryland for 90 days or less in a vessel from a foreign
country or …
- Are a resident of another state boating on Maryland waters
for 60 days or less in a vessel properly registered in their
home state and …
- Are at least 16 years of age or …
- Have proof that they have passed a boating safety education
course approved by the National Association of State Boating
Law Administrators.
No one under 16 years of age may legally operate a personal watercraft,
even if the person possesses a certificate of boating safety education.
No one under 12 years of age may legally operate a vessel towing
a person(s) on water skis, an aquaplane, a parasail, or a similar
device.
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