Atlantic Marina on the Magothy

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 Pasadena, you can boat the Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay, Bodkin Creek, Rock Creek and the lower Patapsco River. The Magothy is a pleasure craft cruising ground with tributary anchorages, and many coves and creeks have marked minimum wake areas; Sillery Bay leads toward Magothy Narrows and Inner Harbor. Bodkin Creek is more confined, with a very narrow entrance between extensive shoals. Rock Creek has a marked channel and marina services, while the Patapsco joins the Chesapeake Bay and carries large vessels whose wakes can be hazardous near the ship channel. Trailer boats can put in at Fort Smallwood Park, and paddlers can use Beachwood Park’s cartop launch.

Source: Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks (aacounty.org)

From Pasadena, boaters go to Dobbins Island, Cornfield Creek, Gibson Island Inner Harbor and Hart-Miller Island State Park for day trips. Dobbins Island is a popular Magothy River anchorage on the Sillery Bay side. Cornfield Creek provides a protected anchorage with natural shoreline, while Gibson Island Inner Harbor offers another protected stop with extensive natural shoreline. On the Chesapeake Bay, Hart-Miller Island is accessible only by personal boat and offers safe mooring, wading and a sandy beach.

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