Holly Neck Marina

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 Essex, you can explore Back River and Middle River, then continue through Hawk Cove into the open water of Chesapeake Bay. Rocky Point Park sits at the mouths of both rivers and has two boat ramps.

Back River has a marked channel, but it includes a 4-foot middle ground. Middle River has a marked dredged entrance and shallower side creeks, including Sue Creek and Galloway Creek. Hawk Cove is a charted anchorage with depths of 8 to 11 feet. Chesapeake Bay provides the more exposed option beyond the river mouths. For a beach stop, Hart-Miller Island is accessible only by boat and has a sandy western shore.

Source: Baltimore County Recreation and Parks (recandparks.baltimorecountymd.gov)

From Essex, boaters head to Hart-Miller Island State Park, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and Fell’s Point for day trips. On the Chesapeake Bay, Hart-Miller is accessible only by personal boat and offers mooring, wading and a sandy beach. The Inner Harbor draws crews with city-managed public docking near waterfront attractions. Fell’s Point combines public docking with historic streets, waterfront restaurants, pubs and shops, making it a convenient stop for a meal and a walk ashore.

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