Americas Boating Course 3 rd Edition MARYLAND State

America’s Boating Course 3 rd Edition MARYLAND State & Local Regulations Chapter 2 / Section 8 1 >>

Maryland Title & Registering Title (and registration) required if boating on Maryland waters more than 90 days Maryland DNR issues registration numbers Decals are issued for calendar years and are valid for two years Out of state moves must be reported within 15 days In state moves require registration within 30 days

Maryland Registration Display number and decals as follows: • Number must be in contrasting color to the hull, painted, decaled or otherwise affixed to forward half of each side of vessel • Number must read from left to right • Number must be at least 3” high, bold, BLOCK letters Slide 3 of 56

Maryland Registration (cont. ) • Letters must be separated from numbers by spaces or hyphens • No other numbers may be displayed on either side of bow • Validation decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel within 3 inches of the registration number Slide 4 of 56

Maryland Registration (cont’d) • Registration Certificate must be onboard when underway • Issued by Maryland DNR • Validation decal must be current

U. S. Documented Vessels U. S. Citizens only may have a large vessel documented (at least 5 gross tons) Documentation number must be permanent and clearly visible on the interior structure Documented vessel is subject to vessel excise tax Validation decals are to be displayed forward on port and starboard and easily seen Slide 6 of 56

Who May Operate A Vessel All persons born after July 1, 1972 must have in their possession a Certificate of Boating Safety Education (CBSE) to legally operate a numbered or documented vessel (including PWC) on Maryland’s public waters Slide 8 of 56

Who May Operate A Vessel (cont. ) CBSE is obtained by successfully completing a NASBLA Approved boating safety course or passing equivalency exam approved by MDNR. Valid for lifetime. Persons required to have a CBSE must have it on board and available for inspection by a Natural Resources Police Officer whenever operating a vessel on Maryland waters. Slide 9 of 56

Who May Operate A Vessel (cont. ) • No one under 16 may legally operate PWC and jetpack vessels, even if they possess a CBSE • No one under 12 may legally operate a vessel towing a person(s) on water-skis, an aquaplane, a parasail or similar device • Observers on vessels engaging in towing water skiers, tubers, etc. must be at least 12 years of age

Other Boating Education Requirements • Operators in a motorized boat 11 feet or MORE in length who are under the age of 16 and do not have a valid CBSE, may operate these vessels if they are under the supervision of a person 18 years of age or older. – Supervising persons born on or after July 1, 1972, must possess a valid CBSE – Supervising persons born before July 1, 1972, are not required to have a CBSE • Operators in a motorized boat 11 feet or LESS in length who are under the age of 16 and do not have a valid CBSE, may operate these vessels if under the supervision of any person who: – Possess a valid CBSE…. OR…. – Was born before July 1, 1972 (this person is not required to be 18 years of age) Slide of 61

PADDLE CRAFT Fastest growing watersport, encompassing: Traditional Canoes Kayaks to sit atop or on built-in seating Stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) Stand-up Paddleboards – USCG has designated SUPs as vessels when operating outside the surf zone Require compliance with USCG Rules Require life jackets and whistle Night operations require flash light or lantern Persons on sailboards from October 15 – May 15 must wear neoprene wet or dry suits that Cover the entire torso of the body Slide 12 of 61

Boat Rentals • Boat Livery Operators sign a contract with the Natural Resources Police in order to be exempt from MD’s boating safety requirement • Applies to boaters born after 1 July 1972 w/o CBSE • Renter must read and understand DNR’s Boating rules and regulations • Motorized boat renters (pontoons, jon boats, etc. )will be issued 10 day temporary certificate to operate a vessel on Maryland’s waters by rental company (no transit into Atlantic ocean) Slide of 61

PWC Rentals • PWC Livery Operators sign a contract with the Natural Resources Police in order to be exempt from MD's boating safety requirement. • PWC Regulations must be posted and read by PWC renters • Livery operation administers boating safety exam to the operator of the PWC. Renter must get no more than 1 wrong to pass. • PWC renter must be at least 16 years of age • Certified Guides are required in certain areas of the State to accompany the renters while riding to make sure they are abiding by the rules. • Rental contract w/renters signature (per the livery operation) stating operator has read and understands all rules. Slide 14 of 61

JET-PACK LIVERY • Jet. Pack is a Class A vessel, to be registered and comply with the Navigation Rules • Uses subject to boating safety laws • Livery operator must display jetpack vessel regulations • Operator must sign contract confirming reading and understanding of jetpack regulations • Observer required 100 to 300 feet away from operator • Rescue vessels must display “international orange” 12 x 12 inch flag at least 24 inches above the water All read and comply with Title 08 DNR Subtitle 18 Chapter 40 – Jet. Pack Vessel Slide 15 of 61

Negligent Operation Operating in restricted areas Wake jumping, hull leaves water Failure to regulate speed Operating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol Slide 16 of 56

Alcohol and Drugs Use causes impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, and impaired judgment BWI became federal offense Jan 13, 1988 Standard for BWI : 0. 08% bac Criminal penalty: up to $1000 fine or one year imprisonment; second conviction, $2000 or two years; third conviction, $3000 or three years; in all cases, both can be applied.

Obstructing Navigation It is illegal to: Anchor in a channel Moor to a buoy or other ATON Tamper with, deface, or move any ATON Obstruct a pier, wharf, boat ramp

PFD Requirements • One person (Type I, III, or V) • One throwable (Type IV) per boat >16’ • Children under 13 must wear one (underway <21’ unless moored or child is below deck in enclosed cabin) • Special requirements for children <4 • Must wear on skis and PWC’s • Must have onboard all motorized and non-motorized vessels (kayaks, canoes, sail/paddleboards) • Good condition, readily accessible, and sized for user Slide of 61

Small Child PFD Law LIFE JACKETS FLOAT, YOU DON’T • A child under age of 4 must wear PFD that features additional safety precautions, so as to: – Hold child securely within PFD, including strap secured between child’s legs – Maintain buoyancy of the child, including inflatable headrest or high collar and… – Ensure ready accessibility of the child from water, including web handle • Law does not apply to vessel that is moored or anchored, or a child who is below deck or in an enclosed cabin

Fire Extinguishers Dry chemical most common for marine use Type B required onboard Inboard or I/O engines Permanently installed fuel tanks Closed living spaces Closed compartments where portable fuel tanks are stored Slide 33 of 56

Proper Ventilation Required on gasoline powered boats built after April 25, 1940 Powered ventilation on boats built after August 1, 1980 and in compliance display: WARNING: Gasoline vapors can explode. Before starting the engine, operate blower for at least four (4) minutes and check engine compartment bilge for gasoline vapors.

Mufflers Excessive noise can prevent vessel operator from hearing signals and voices • All vessels manufactured after January 1, 1990 must be equipped with muffler system in good working order and in constant operation to suppress engine noise • You may not remove or modify a muffler or muffling system if it results in an increased noise level • No person may operate a vessel on Maryland waters that emits noise in excess of 90 db(A) • Vessels involved in marine event approved by USCG or MDNR exempt from these requirements

Visual Distress Signals Three hand held red flares Day and Night Service life: 42 Months

Or. . . One Hand Held Red Flare & Two Red Meteors Service life: 42 Months

Sound Producing Devices Boats less than 65’ (20 m) must carry a sound producing device, e. g. , whistle, bell, horn, etc. Slide 48 of 56

Diving/Snorkeling Flags Avoid placing in: Areas already occupied by boaters Narrow channels

PWC Operating Requirements Be at least 16 years of age Wear USCG approved PFD Carry certificate of boater safety education 6 knots or slower within 100 feet of: another PWC or vessel shore, pier, piling bridge structure people in the water (100 foot rule)

PWC (cont’d) • PWC must have operable and attached self-circling device or kill switch YOU MAY NOT • Operate above idle speed in water less than 18” deep • Operate between sunset and sunrise

Towing Requirements Boat andr PWC • No skiing or towing between sunset and sunrise • Towed persons MUST wear PFD • PWC must be rated for 3 persons: observer at least 12 years of age required • Do not disturb wildlife • Do not jump wake within 100 of vessel • Do not operate in reckless and/or negligent manner

PWC REGULATIONS PWC Regulations sticker must be displayed on all PWC. Slide 54 of 61

Marine Sanitation Devices Type I or II Chemically treated Type III Holding tank only for pump-out or discharge beyond 12 miles off-shore

Marine Sanitation Devices – Type III All MSD’s Must Be USCG Approved Slide 59 of 56

No Discharge Zones • No discharge of any waste, even treated waste from MSD type I and II • Two zones – Herring Bay – Northern Coastal Bays, from Ocean City inlet to the Delaware state line Slide of 61

Aquatic Nuisances To prevent the spread of non-native fish and mollusks in our waterways, boaters should follow these simple rules: • Trailer boaters should remove visible mud, plants, fish or animals from boats and trailers prior to transport to another body of water. • Scrape any mussels from boat or outdrive, and flush hull, bilges & water holding compartments with hot water (at least 120º F). • Do not release plants or fish, including bait, into a body of water unless it came out of that same body of water. Slide 63 of 56

Aquatic Nuisances • Pump fresh water through engines before leaving the area. • Empty water out of kayaks, canoes, rafts, etc. • Let boat, PWC's, trailer and equipment dry for at least 5 days. Slide 64 of 56

Accidents Stop and provide assistance; exchange information Accident reports must be filed within 48 hours, if death, missing or medical treatment beyond first aid If vessel is lost, or damage is over $2, 000, § Report must be filed within 10 days § 30 days if Maryland boat in accident outside of Maryland waters

Accident Reporting Slide of 61

Enforcement § Maryland Natural Resources Police and the USCG can stop and board your vessel § Yield right of way, stop vessel and stay in position until police have passed Slide 67 of 56

From Other Sections • • 2 – Life Jackets / Fire Extinguishers / Distress Signals 3 – Float Plan / fueling / pre-sail briefings 4 – Navigation Rules 5 – ATONS (Aids to Navigation) / Regulatory Marks 6 - Navigation lights / sound devices 7 - Capacity plate / HIN / Homeland Security / Backfire Flame Arresters / Ventilation / Waste Rules / Oil Pollution / Waste Management Plan / Pump Out Stations 9 - Navigation charts for your area 10 - Anchoring 11 - Weather / Emergencies 13 – Towed watersports 72

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