<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 08.18.02.05" title_num="08" subtitle_num="18" chapter_num="02" heading="Restrictions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A person may not lease, hire, rent, operate, or give permission to operate a personal watercraft unless:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The operator is 16 years old or older; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The operator attained the age of 14 years old or older and met the requirements of Natural Resources Article, §8-712.2, Annotated Code of Maryland, as of January 1, 1996.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft for the purpose of towing a person on water skis, aquaplane, or similar device, unless the personal watercraft:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Has a capacity of three persons that includes the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Driver,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Rear facing observer, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Water skier;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Is specifically designed for water skiing by the manufacturer.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A personal watercraft operator born after July 1, 1972 shall carry a certificate of Boater Safety Education pursuant to Natural Resources Article, §8-712.2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A person may not operate or give permission to operate personal watercraft on the waters of the State, unless each person on board is wearing a Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the State:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Between sunset and sunrise; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Within an area of restricted visibility.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A person may not operate or give permission to operate on the waters of the State a personal watercraft unless it is equipped with a self-circling device, or a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Notwithstanding the requirements of §F of this regulation, a person may not operate or give permission to operate on the waters of the State a specialty prop craft, unless it is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>A person may not operate or give permission to operate on the waters of the State a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch, unless the lanyard is operational and attached to the operator of the personal watercraft, the operator's clothing, or a personal flotation device worn by the operator.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>A person may not operate or give permission to operate on the waters of the State a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a self-circling device, if the self-circling device or engine throttle has been altered in any way that would prohibit the self-circling device from operating in its intended manner.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>Within the Maryland waters of the Atlantic Ocean, a person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft at any time:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Within 300 feet of people in the water or surf fishermen; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>At a speed of more than 6 knots within 100 feet of a wharf, pier, or jetty.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>On Maryland waters other than the Atlantic Ocean, a person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the State at any time at a speed in excess of 6 knots within 100 feet of a shore, wharf, pier, piling, bridge structure or abutment, or people in the water.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>A person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the State at any time at a speed in excess of 6 knots within 100 feet of another vessel, except when required to maintain speed in a crossing or overtaking situation pursuant to the Federal Inland or International Navigation Rules.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>A person may not operate a personal watercraft in a negligent manner. The following are examples of negligent operation and are not intended to limit the actions which may constitute negligent operation:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Jumping, or attempting to jump, the wake of another vessel, within 100 feet of the vessel;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Following within 100 feet of a water skier;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Weaving through congested vessel traffic;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Speeding on restricted areas; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Operating a personal watercraft in a manner that endangers the life, limb, or property of a person, including the operator.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="N.">
    <text>Any person who leases, rents, or otherwise receives consideration for the use of personal watercraft shall comply with COMAR 08.04.08.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="O.">
    <text>Personal Watercraft Sticker.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An individual may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft required to be numbered in this State on the waters of this State unless a regulation sticker supplied by the Department is attached to the personal watercraft.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The sticker shall be attached to the upper half of the vessel in such a manner that the operator can read the information on the sticker.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A personal watercraft livery owner, or agent, or employee may not sell, rent, or lease a personal watercraft in this State without the sticker attached in the manner required by this regulation regardless of whether the personal watercraft is required to be numbered in this State.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="P.">
    <text>A person may not operate or give permission to operate a personal watercraft in excess of idle speed in any waters of the State less than 18 inches in depth, except when required to maintain speed in a crossing or overtaking situation pursuant to the Federal Inland or International Navigation Rules. It shall be a rebuttable presumption that the operator is aware that the depth of the water is less than 18 inches if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The area is marked as an idle speed limit area; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The operator was previously issued a warning or citation for exceeding idle speed in the same area.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>