MarineMax Kent Island

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 Grasonville, you can boat through Kent Narrows to Prospect Bay, Eastern Bay, or the lower Chester River. Wells Cove is shallow outside its marked dredged channel. Kent Narrows is a marked connecting channel with current and very heavy summer traffic around the bridges. Prospect Bay is open water, but its marked approach to the narrows shoals in places. Eastern Bay and the lower Chester provide more open-water cruising. Trailered boats can put in at nearby Kent Narrows Landing, a heavily used public ramp on the lower Chester River.

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

From Grasonville, boaters head to Ferry Point Park and Piney Creek for a scenic stop near Kent Narrows; Queenstown Harbor for a paddle past farms and sandy beaches; Wye Island’s Granary Creek for a popular anchorage with shore access; and St. Michaels Harbor for public dockage and waterfront amenities within walking distance. Dividing Creek is another popular Wye Island anchorage when the goal is a quiet break, fishing or crabbing on the Wye River.

Source: Visit Queen Anne’s County (visitqueenannes.com)