Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 7 - State Boat Act
Section 8-743 - Personal Flotation Devices

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
        (2)    “Child” means an individual who is under the age of 13 years.
        (3)    “Personal flotation device” means a Type I, II, III, or V U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device that is:
            (i)    The proper size for the child; and
            (ii)    In good and serviceable condition.
        (4)    (i)    “Vessel” means:
                1.    A vessel used for recreational purposes; or
                2.    A vessel leased, rented, or chartered for noncommercial use.
            (ii)    “Vessel” does not include a vessel carrying passengers for hire under the command of an individual licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry passengers for hire, or a vessel displaying a valid seafood harvester’s license number while engaged in the harvesting of seafood for sale.
    (b)    (1)    A person may not operate or permit the operation of a vessel under 21 feet in length while there is present in the vessel a child not wearing a personal flotation device which is securely and properly attached to the child.
        (2)    If the child is under the age of 4 years, the personal flotation device shall feature additional safety precautions, as appropriate for an infant, toddler, or young child, so as to:
            (i)    Hold the child securely within the personal flotation device, including a strap that is secured between the child’s legs to fasten together the front and back of the personal flotation device;
            (ii)    Maintain the buoyancy of the child, including an inflatable headrest or high collar; and
            (iii)    Ensure the ready accessibility of the child from the vessel, including a web handle.
    (c)    Subsection (b) does not apply to:
        (1)    A vessel that is moored or anchored; or
        (2)    A child who is below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

Structure Maryland Statutes

Maryland Statutes

Natural Resources

Title 8 - Waters

Subtitle 7 - State Boat Act

Section 8-701 - Definitions

Section 8-702 - Legislative Intent

Section 8-703 - Powers and Duties of Department Generally

Section 8-703.1 - Antifouling Paints

Section 8-703.2 - Boating Regulations for Jennings Randolph Lake

Section 8-703.3 - Aquatic Invasive Species -- Decontamination of Vessels

Section 8-704 - Regulations of Department

Section 8-704.1 - Disclosure of Information

Section 8-705 - Waterways Improvement Districts -- in General

Section 8-706 - Waterways Improvement Districts -- Department's Functions

Section 8-707 - Waterway Improvement Fund -- Established; Purposes; Appropriations; Reports

Section 8-708 - Waterway Improvement Fund -- Financing Projects

Section 8-708.1 - Financing for Projects for Dredging Channels Adjacent to Main Channels or Harbors

Section 8-709 - Waterway Improvement Fund -- List of Requests for Use to Be Included in Department's Annual Budget Request; Expenditures From Fund Without Legislative Approval; Use of Fund for Administrative Expenses

Section 8-709.1 - Limitation of Marina Slips

Section 8-710 - Manufacturer's or Dealer's License

Section 8-710.1 - Bonds of Manufacturers or Dealers

Section 8-710.2 - Temporary Certificates of Boat Number

Section 8-710.3 - Excise Tax on Sales of Vessels

Section 8-711 - Hull Identification Number of Vessel

Section 8-712 - Numbering Vessels; Owner's Certificate of Number

Section 8-712.1 - Vessel Validation Sticker

Section 8-712.2 - Boating Safety Education

Section 8-712.3 - Rentals of Livery Vessels

Section 8-713 - Operation of Unnumbered Vessel Prohibited

Section 8-713.1 - Operating Vessel With Number, Name, or Home Port Concealed

Section 8-714 - Manufacturer's or Dealer's Transfer of Vessel Numbers; Restriction on Use of Manufacturer's or Dealer's Number

Section 8-715 - Owner's Certificate of Title -- in General

Section 8-716 - Certificate of Title -- Fees; Excise Tax

Section 8-716.1 - Certificate of Title -- Collection and Remittance of Excise Tax

Section 8-716.2 - Certificate of Title -- Enforcement of Subtitle

Section 8-717 - Certificate of Title -- Duplicate if Original Missing or Damaged

Section 8-718 - Certificate of Title -- Obtaining Manufacturer's or Importer's Certificate of Origin

Section 8-719 - Certificate of Title -- Dealer's Record of Vessels Bought, Sold, or Transferred

Section 8-720 - Certificate of Title -- Transfer or Repossession of Vessel by Operation of Law

Section 8-721 - Removal and Disposal of Abandoned or Sunken Vessels

Section 8-721.1 - Removal of Vessel From Marina

Section 8-722 - Acquiring Title to Abandoned Vessel

Section 8-723 - State Boat Act Fund

Section 8-724 - Boating Accidents

Section 8-724.1 - Damaging or Interfering With Use of Public Wharf or Landing

Section 8-725 - Waterskiing Restrictions

Section 8-725.1 - Controlled Water Ski Area in Maynadier Creek.

Section 8-725.2 - Abandonment of Vessel

Section 8-725.3 - Comprehensive Management Plan for Use of Vessels on Severn River

Section 8-725.4 - Speed Limits on Severn River; Penalties

Section 8-725.5 - Noise Levels for Vessels Operated in Tidal Waters

Section 8-725.6 - Speed Limit on Seneca Creek

Section 8-725.7 - Speed Limit on Certain Areas of Monocacy River

Section 8-725.8 - Marine Gatherings

Section 8-726 - Throwing or Dumping Refuse on Waters of State

Section 8-726.1 - Throwing Certain Waste on Certain Waters of the State

Section 8-727 - Enforcement of Subtitle by Officers; Use of Visual or Audible Signals

Section 8-727.1 - Use of Flashing Red and Yellow Lights or Signal Devices; Emergency Vessels

Section 8-728 - Security Interest in Vessels -- Exemptions From 8-729 to 8-736 of This Subtitle

Section 8-729 - Security Interest -- Perfection Generally

Section 8-730 - Security Interest -- Execution of Application; Time When Perfected; Endorsement of Certificate

Section 8-731 - Security Interest -- Assignability

Section 8-732 - Security Interest -- Relief Upon Satisfaction

Section 8-733 - Security Interest -- Adoption of Regulations

Section 8-734 - Security Interest -- Disclosure of Information

Section 8-735 - Security Interest -- Exclusive Method

Section 8-736 - Security Interest -- Forms; Investigations

Section 8-737 - Historical Watercraft Identification Plaque

Section 8-738 - Operating Vessel While Under the Influence of or Impaired by Alcohol And/or Drugs

Section 8-738.1 - Operating Vessel While Under the Influence of or Impaired by Alcohol And/or Drugs -- Testing Required

Section 8-738.2 - Operating Vessel in Reckless or Dangerous Manner

Section 8-739 - Penalties for Violations of 8-712, 8-712.1, 8-712.3, 8-713, 8-716.1 or 8-718

Section 8-740 - Safety Equipment Violations

Section 8-740.1 - Failure to Possess Ship-to-Shore Communication Device on Certain Vessels

Section 8-741 - Marine Sanitation Device

Section 8-742 - Marine Sanitation Survey; Identification of and Adequate Facilities in Sensitive Areas

Section 8-743 - Personal Flotation Devices

Section 8-744 - Insurance Policy or Bond for For-Hire Water Carrier