PERSONAL WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS

  • You must be at least 16 years old to operate a personal watercraft (PWC)
  • A PWC operator must posses a boater safety education certificate if they were born after July 1, 1972
  • Everyone aboard a PWC must wear a personal flotation device (PFD)
  • You may not operate a PWC between the hours of sunset and sunrise
  • Because the operator rides on the outside of the vessel and is subject to falling off, each vessel shall be equipped with a safety cut-off or self-circling device
  • When operating a PWC, all safety cut-off devices must be attached to the operator and/or the self- circling device must not be altered.
  • On Maryland waters of the Atlantic Ocean, a person may not operate a PWC within 300 feet of people in the water or surf fishermen
  • On all waters of the State, a person may not operate a PWC at a speed in excess of 6 knots within 100 feet of any shore, wharf, pier, piling, bridge abutment, or persons in the water.
  • You may not operate a PWC at a speed in excess of 6 knots within 100 feet of a vessel except in a crossing or overtaking situation as described in the Federal Rules of the Road
  • A PWC may not tow a water skier unless the craft has the capacity to carry 3 persons
  • You may not operate a PWC in a negligent manner, i.e. jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of the vessel
Regulations require every livery operator or lessor of PWC's to:

  • post a copy of these regulations;
  • advise all renters to read the regulations; and
  • add a clause to the rental contract, which will be signed by the renter, stating that the renter read and understands the regulations.


If you violate any of the above regulations, you may be charged a $500 fine.

Boat trailers may not be parked on public streets or municipal lots, except for 100th Street Municipal Lot. Several local marinas have space to park trailers and boats for a fee. Remember to check with your accommodations’ management concerning their boat trailer parking policy.

Information obtained from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources