1. A. Except as noted in this chapter, personal watercraft shall comply with the laws and regulations governing Class A vessels as set forth in U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

2. 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. (1) Has a capacity of three persons that includes the:

      1. (a) Driver,
      2. (b) Rear facing observer, who is 12 years old or older,
      3. (c) Water skier; and
   2. (2) Is specifically designed for water skiing by the manufacturer.

3. C. A person may not operate or give permission to operate personal watercraft on the lake, unless:

   1. (1) Each person on board is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the U.S. Coast Guard; and

   2. (2) The watercraft is equipped by the manufacturer with a:

      1. (a) Lanyard-type engine cut-off switch, and the lanyard is operational and attached to the:

         1. (i) Operator of the watercraft,
         2. (ii) Operator's clothing, or
         3. (iii) Personal flotation device worn by the operator; or
      2. (b) Self-circling device or engine throttle that has not been altered in a way that would prohibit the self-circling device from operating in its intended manner.
4. D. A person may not operate a personal watercraft at any time between the hours of sunset and sunrise.
5. E. A person shall operate a personal watercraft in a reasonable and prudent manner at all times. Maneuvers which endanger life, limb, or property constitute negligent operation of the vessel.

6. F. A person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft on the Lake at any time at a speed in excess of 6 knots within 100 feet of:

   1. (1) Another vessel;
   2. (2) Shore, wharf, pier, piling, bridge structure, or abutment; or
   3. (3) A person in the water.

Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§8-703.2 and 8-738, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.11 adopted as an emergency provision effective May 15, 1997 (24:12 Md. R. 857); emergency status extended at 24:24 Md. R. 1668 and 25:9 Md. R. 676

Regulations .01—.11 adopted effective May 18, 1998 (25:10 Md. R. 746)