Baltimore County Sailing Center

Maryland sets no general minimum age for operating a motorized vessel other than a personal watercraft, but an operator under 16 is never unsupervised. Under Natural Resources §8-712.2, someone under 16 must both hold a boating safety certificate and have an eligible supervisor aboard. For vessels under 11 feet, the supervisor must hold a certificate; for vessels 11 feet or longer, the supervisor must hold one and be at least 18. Someone born before July 1, 1972, may also supervise.

Personal watercraft operators must be at least 16 and carry a certificate if born on or after July 1, 1972. The rental operator sets its own minimum, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources (mgaleg.maryland.gov)

Maryland does not issue a recreational boating license, but people born on or after July 1, 1972 generally must carry a boating safety education certificate when operating a numbered or documented pleasure vessel. This includes personal watercraft, whose operators must be at least 16. Anyone under 16 operating a motorized vessel 11 feet or longer without a certificate must instead be supervised by someone 18 or older who holds a valid certificate, or who was born before the cutoff. Exemptions include commercial operators, qualifying visitors, private waters, and those born before the cutoff. Renters of motorized vessels other than personal watercraft may be issued a 10 day temporary certificate after reading a safety sheet. Maryland Natural Resources Police administers the program.

Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Natural Resources Police (dnr.maryland.gov)

From Baltimore, you can cruise the Patapsco River system from the city harbor to Chesapeake Bay, with several distinct choices. The Inner Harbor is a slow urban harbor with a 6-knot limit, while the Middle Branch is better suited to small craft. Rock Creek has a marked channel with a narrow section, and Bodkin Creek is shallower, with a narrow entrance between shoals. Continue down the Patapsco for open Chesapeake Bay water, where large-vessel wakes near Sevenfoot Knoll demand caution. Boats can put in at Inner Harbor marina slips or use the public launch at Fort Armistead Park.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

From Baltimore, good Chesapeake Bay day trips include Hart-Miller Island, Rock Hall Harbor, Still Pond and Annapolis Harbor. Hart-Miller draws crews for its sandy beach, swimming, picnicking and fishing. Rock Hall welcomes visiting boats at a public bulkhead near restaurants, shops and marinas. Still Pond provides a shallow Upper Bay anchorage. Annapolis Harbor and Ego Alley are the urban option, with dock-and-dine access and historic attractions such as the U.S. Naval Academy within walking distance.

Source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources (dnr.maryland.gov)