Maryland
and Deep Creek Lake
Statewide Boating Regulations for Non-Tidal Waters:
All children under the age of 7 must WEAR a United
States Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (Life
Jacket - Type I, II, III or V) while underway on a recreational
vessel under 21 feet in length on Maryland waters. Recreational
vessel includes motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats,
and any other device capable of being used for transportation
on the water, when the vessel is being used for other than commercial
purposes.
The
Life Jacket must be the proper size for the child and must be
in good and serviceable condition.
This
requirement does not apply when:
*A
vessel is moored or anchored.
*A
child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
The
following are the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations
applicable to Deep Creek Lake:
1.Boating
accidents must be reported.
2.When
water-skiing, two persons in the boat (an operator and an observer)
must be at least 12 years old.
3.No
water-skiing between sunset and sunrise.
4.It
is unlawful to operate a boat in a reckless or negligent manner,
or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
5.One
Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) must be
carried for each person aboard, and additional safety equipment
may be required.
6.A
valid registration must be on board and correctly displayed.
7.Water-skiing
is not permitted within 100 feet of docks, shore, boats, or
other people.
8.Navigation
lights must be displayed between sunset and sunrise.
9.A
Boating Safety Certificate is required for those born on or
after July 1, 1972.
Specific
Regulations for Deep Creek Lake:
1.A
vessel may not exceed 26 feet in length, except pontoon boats
which may not exceed 30 feet.
2.Sirens
are not permitted.
3.Houseboats
are not permitted.
4.Engines
may not exceed the manufacturers recommended capacity, or total
displacement of 550 cubic inches, whichever is less.
5.Parasailing
is not permitted on the lake.
6.Vessels
shall be muffled so as not to exceed state noise level limits.
7.No
garbage, sewage or other waste materials may be discharged into
the lake.
8.Aircraft
are prohibited on the lake and buffer strip.
9.Personal
Watercraft (PWC) may not be operated on the lake between 11
a.m. and 4 p.m. on: Saturday, Sunday and holiday of Memorial
Day weekend and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from July 1
through Labor Day.
In
addition to all other boating regulations, PWC must abide by
a set of their own regulations, a few of which are:
*Persons
must be at least 16 years of age to operate a PWC
*All
persons aboard a PWC must wear a Coast Guard approved personal
floatation device (PFD).
*A
person may not operate a PWC in a negligent manner; i.e. jumping
the wake of other vessels within 100 feet of vessel.
*A
person may not operate a PWC between the hours of sunset and
sunrise.
Restricted
Skiing Areas and Speed Zones
1.On
Deep Creek Lake, a person may not operate a vessel towing a
skier, an aquaplane, or similar device within 100 feet of any
bridge on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 11:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. between the Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.
2.Water-skiing
is not permitted beyond the buoys in the upper end of North
Glade Cove from 12 noon until sunset each Saturday, Sunday,
and holiday.
3.A
person may not operate a vessel at a speed in excess of 3 knots
within 100 feet of the shoreline anywhere on the lake, except
that a person may tow a skier from a dock or shore and then
immediately exit the restricted area.
4.A
person may not operate a vessel in excess of 3 knots between
the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and
holidays from the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day in that
area which lies between Beckman's Cove and North Glade Cove.
5.A
person may not operate a vessel at a speed in excess of 3 knots
at any time in the following areas: Meadow Mountain Run, east
of the Meadow Mountain Bridge; McHenry Cove, north of the restriction
buoys; upper end of Red Run Cove, southwest of the restriction
buoys; Thayerville Cove, southwest of a line of buoys extending
from the easternmost point of the Arrowhead peninsula; upper
end of Hoop Pole Cove, southwest of the restriction buoys; and
upper end of Pawn Run Cove, northwest of the restriction buoys.
For more information, contact the Deep Creek Lake Recreation
Area Office, 898 State Park Road, Swanton, MD 21561 or call
(301) 387-4111. Department of Natural Resources Police Emergency
Number (land or water) 1-800-628-9944 or Memorial Day through
Labor Day call (301) 387-1101 for water-related problems.
Rowboats, paddle boats and non-gasoline powered crafts only
are permitted on the lakes at Herrington Manor State Park, New
Germany State Park, Savage River Reservoir and Broadford Lake.
Rentals are available from park personnel at Herrington Manor,
New Germany and Broadford Lake.
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