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Boating Age Requirements

• In Maryland, no one may operate a motor-powered vessel involved in towing activities if they are under the age of 12 (or under the age of 16 if operating a PWC).
• Personal watercraft operators must be at least 16 years of age and have a boating safety certificate.

The only time operators are not required to have their Boater Education Certificate is under the following conditions:

• If the operator is from out of country, operating a boat from out of country and is not in the state of Maryland for more than 90 days;
• If the operator is 16 years of age or older is, a resident of another state, visiting MD for 60 days or less, or in a vessel numbered in another state; or…
• If they hold a commercial vessel operator’s license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard

Boating Supervision Requirements

As of October 1, 2010, anyone under the age of 16, who is operating a motorized vessel of 11 feet in length or greater without a valid boating safety certificate, must be under the supervision of an individual 18 years of age or older who possesses a valid boating safety certificate, or an individual born before July 1, 1972.

If an individual under the age of 16 is operating a motorized vessel of less than 11 feet in length, a person of any age possessing a valid certificate of boating safety can provide supervision.