# COMAR Title 08 — Department of Natural Resources

## Subtitle 18 — Boating — Speed Limits and Operation of Vessels

### Chapter 01 — General

#### Regulation .04 Rules of the Road.

*COMAR 08.18.01.04*

A. An individual operating a vessel on waters of the State shall comply with the:

  (1) Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980, 33 CFR §§83—90, as amended; and

  (2) International Navigational Rules Act of 1977, 33 CFR §§80—82, as amended.

B. A person may not operate or give permission to operate a vessel at a speed which would be unsafe under the existing circumstances and conditions. In determining unsafe speed under existing circumstances and conditions, the following factors shall be taken into account:

  (1) State of visibility;

  (2) Traffic density;

  (3) Maneuverability of the vessel in prevailing conditions;

  (4) At night, the presence of background light intensity from shore lights;

  (5) Velocity of the wind;

  (6) Sea and current conditions;

  (7) Proximity of navigational hazards; and

  (8) Draft of the vessel in relation to available depth of water.