MD boating restrictions

DaleM

Member
Aug 5, 2009
690
Mt Airy, MD
Boat Info
340 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.1 Horizons
With the current restrictions in place preventing recreational boating on MD waters has anyone gone out with a fishing rod hanging over? I'm talking on the Bay. Not sure if you'd get away with it but it reads that you can fish to provide food... You can even SUP/Kayak for exercise. Granted I don't have a "fishing boat" (340 Dancer).

I'm not suggesting raft up with 5 boats and/or take 20 people out for a day trip. I'm talking about take my family ONLY out. Social distance completely. What better way to do so than on a boat anyway?

I'm just getting stir-crazy because one week after I splashed I get the smack down placed on me and can't use the boat! I can barely get to the marina for that matter but may do so to check on lines, etc.
 
With the current restrictions in place preventing recreational boating on MD waters has anyone gone out with a fishing rod hanging over? I'm talking on the Bay. Not sure if you'd get away with it but it reads that you can fish to provide food... You can even SUP/Kayak for exercise. Granted I don't have a "fishing boat" (340 Dancer).

I'm not suggesting raft up with 5 boats and/or take 20 people out for a day trip. I'm talking about take my family ONLY out. Social distance completely. What better way to do so than on a boat anyway?

I'm just getting stir-crazy because one week after I splashed I get the smack down placed on me and can't use the boat! I can barely get to the marina for that matter but may do so to check on lines, etc.

No legal opinions here but if it has rod holders then throw on some rods and go fishing. A fishing boat is a boat you fish on ;) Not saying your going to catch anything. Only thing is if your the only one out there it may make you stand out.

-Kevin
 
You still have to be able to get to your boat. Unfortunately, even though the other marinas at the Kent Narrows are open to boat owners. Gov Hogan appeared to single out Safe Harbor (Mears) for double secret quarantine.

IMG_1482.jpeg
 
I'd do it, but be sure to get a fishing license, too. As you state, the order reads fishing is permissible if you are fishing to provide food for your family. Snakehead anyone?
 
but if it has rod holders

That’s the thing - it doesn’t unless you count my son standing there underway :). Wonder how that would go over?

BlueYonder that stinks about your situation. Our marina is doing everything that can to ensure people understand if THEY get sick the marina shuts down. Yet there’s some that just don’t adhere to the social distancing thing. There’s been challenges. Technically I’m not even supposed to drive there.
 
Not really possible to close our marina because of the live-aboards and I go there nearly every day. Right now I've got the aftercoolers, heat exchangers and Racors in the basement. :)
 
Our marina is similar but I think it’s the live-aboards that are getting sick of the stupid people.
 
The recreational boating restrictions in MD are quite unreasonable. Not just MD, but seems like most places. The RVrs can get in their RV and go where ever they want. No restrictions for them, they can drive and park anywhere allowed. The private planes are still flying around doing their stunts, etc. - seeing them daily. Just don't see the point in restricting a family that resides in the same house from getting on their boat, especially if moored at their residence, and spending an afternoon anchored. Enjoying a day on the water, playing some cards, etc. Cannot distance yourselves any better than a half mile of shore. Seems like Big Brother just wants everyone to say inside and only come out for extreme circumstances. We don't normally fish a lot, usually just a couple times out per season when the fishing is really good, guess this season we will be fishing more if that is what it takes. Across the Potomac, VA can recreational boat, but as soon as they come out of their VA tributary they are in MD water, so doesn't work for them either. Hopefully this mess will let up and we will see some restrictions lifted the beginning of May. Of course boating will probably be one of the last as they certainly would not want us to take advantage of the lowered fuel prices.
 
April is normally a bit early to do much more than run the boat down to Shady Side for a haul out. But come May, I will be out, irrespective of "restrictions". We have two berths, rod holders and will do what's necessary to appear to stay "legal". But I also have lots to do that I'm not waiting for - dinghies to launch, sailboats to move and work on, and sunshine to enjoy. Boats here are as much transportation as recreation. Hopefully the water taxis can start up soon so I can drive them around.
 
I decided to send an email to "Contact the Governor" communications link. Maybe it'll fall on deaf ears, maybe not. Below is what I sent. Maybe if enough people chime in it'll get through? Dunno, but I did go to the boat today to check lines after 36hrs of severe winds. The GM of our marina used the word "essential to check lines for boats in the water" or something of the effect. I did go today and saw NO sign of people even though there were a few up there prepping for launch. And man, was it nice to just sit and hear the water for a short bit.

I put the link to contact the Governor below too.
https://governor.maryland.gov/contact-the-governor/
-------------------
I'm writing to better understand the recreational boating restrictions that are currently in place in MD for the Chesapeake Bay. I fully support the 'stay at home' restrictions that are in place, understand the need for them, and want to move out of the situation we're in as fast as possible.

That said, we own a boat in Middle River. I can see easily how people can violate the restrictions that are in place by tying multiple boats together or taking out multiple individuals on a boat creating an overcrowding situation.
I also see where boating is an excellent source of "social distancing". What is the difference in spending time with my family of four on the water compared to being in our home? We can live aboard our boat and usually do so every weekend as soon as it's launched for the boating season. We do not have to interact with other individuals in the process of getting to our boat, leaving the dock, etc.

Further confusing me is that under the current circumstance individuals are permitted to kayak and stand up paddle board as a form of exercise. "Social Distancing" can easily be violated in this environment too. I have the ability to take a kayak and a SUP on my boat and use them from an isolated anchorage on the bay.

I fully support enforcing not tying up multiple boats and not overcrowding a boat with people other than family, and there being penalties involved if that should occur. What I would like is an explanation and reconsideration of lessening the recreational boating restriction based what I outline above.
 
Sent to Governor Hogan this morning.

Good Day Governor Hogan. As my family is certainly maintaining compliance with the social distancing guidelines and we understand the stay at home restrictions, myself and my "in residence family" don't understand why there are restrictions on recreational boating. We do understand that social distancing needs to be complied with in all situations, and one would certainly be in compliance if anchored out independently in the middle of a half mile wide or larger body of water. We see the paddle boarders and kayakers out grouped together and the RVrs visiting relatives in our neighborhood, as well as private airplanes flying around doing their stunts and acrobatics. Why are boaters singled out? As we can depart from our private pier and go out and fish to be in compliance and we often do fish when we are out, why is sitting and fishing any different than sitting and enjoying the spring weather or watching a sunset? If you could please help the boating families of Maryland understand the reasoning for the restrictions, as it is the hot topic of many of the boating forums across the State, it would be greatly appreciated. We ask that you consider relaxing the recreational boating restrictions while maintaining that boaters observe social distancing guidelines while doing so. Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Korkie
 
I sent this to Gov. Hogan...

As a Republican, I was appalled by your decision to shutdown recreational boating in Maryland waters. As a citizen of Virginia, I feel that I am being unjustly disenfranchised as I have no power in the decision as to whether or not you hold office. Think of it like "taxation without representation". I suppose that inane decisions like these are what a Republican has to do in order to gain favor with Democrats in Maryland. In further trying to gain favor with Democrats, not extending the recreational boating ban to kayakers and paddle-boarders makes about as much sense as adding fifteen extra choices for gender on a form. I just don't get it. The one positive that may come out of this is that Virginia will take back its rightful half of the Potomac River. Let's see how Marylanders would like that! Perhaps that is a decision whose time has come. And just to keep it fair, maybe Virginia will close the Chesapeake Bay north of a a line from Cape Charles Town, VA to Mobjack Bay. Seems fair to me.

(If you've read this far, rest assured that this is all in jest and was more of an exercise to relieve frustration)
 
I sent this to Gov. Hogan...

As a Republican, I was appalled by your decision to shutdown recreational boating in Maryland waters. As a citizen of Virginia, I feel that I am being unjustly disenfranchised as I have no power in the decision as to whether or not you hold office. Think of it like "taxation without representation". I suppose that inane decisions like these are what a Republican has to do in order to gain favor with Democrats in Maryland. In further trying to gain favor with Democrats, not extending the recreational boating ban to kayakers and paddle-boarders makes about as much sense as adding fifteen extra choices for gender on a form. I just don't get it. The one positive that may come out of this is that Virginia will take back its rightful half of the Potomac River. Let's see how Marylanders would like that! Perhaps that is a decision whose time has come. And just to keep it fair, maybe Virginia will close the Chesapeake Bay north of a a line from Cape Charles Town, VA to Mobjack Bay. Seems fair to me.

(If you've read this far, rest assured that this is all in jest and was more of an exercise to relieve frustration)
send it anyway
 
I took my boat to the slip yesterday. At least I got one ride in :)
 
Storm Warnings tomorrow on the Chesapeake Bay. My marina will not allow access to ensure the boat is properly secured. The Marina 150 yards away on the other side of Kent Narrows allows owners access. The Boatel is operating.

Rules arbitrarily and unevenly applied are not rules, they are dictates.
 
Storm Warnings tomorrow on the Chesapeake Bay. My marina will not allow access to ensure the boat is properly secured. The Marina 150 yards away on the other side of Kent Narrows allows owners access. The Boatel is operating.

Rules arbitrarily and unevenly applied are not rules, they are dictates.

I totally agree. Be safe.
 
Nice letters guys. But I am afraid you'll only get a canned response about safety, blah, blah, blah. You may want to try my version instead. :)

Dear Governor: I understand the need for social distancing in this time of crisis. However, I don't know why you are restricting me from enjoyment of my property, namely my boat, which I can do in social isolation. There's is this thing called The US Constitution. It's a pretty good read. You should read it some time. Then go F yourself.
Signed, concerned voter.
 

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