# COMAR 08.18.01.04: COMAR 08.18.01.04. Rules of the Road

> Maryland · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_04

## Section

- **Citation:** COMAR 08.18.01.04
- **Heading:** COMAR 08.18.01.04. Rules of the Road
- **Jurisdiction:** Maryland
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Code of Maryland Regulations / Title 08 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES / Subtitle 18 BOATING — SPEED LIMITS AND OPERATION OF VESSELS / Chapter 01 General / COMAR 08.18.01.04

## Text

A. An individual operating a vessel on waters of the State shall comply with the:
(1) Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980, 33 CFR §§83—90, as amended; and
(2) International Navigational Rules Act of 1977, 33 CFR §§80—82, as amended.
B. A person may not operate or give permission to operate a vessel at a speed which would be unsafe under the existing circumstances and conditions. In determining unsafe speed under existing circumstances and conditions, the following factors shall be taken into account:
(1) State of visibility;
(2) Traffic density;
(3) Maneuverability of the vessel in prevailing conditions;
(4) At night, the presence of background light intensity from shore lights;
(5) Velocity of the wind;
(6) Sea and current conditions;
(7) Proximity of navigational hazards; and
(8) Draft of the vessel in relation to available depth of water.
C. Public Notice.
(1) The Secretary may establish or modify speed zones and restricted areas to implement Natural Resources Article, §8-725 .9, Annotated Code of Maryland, by issuing a public notice on the Department’s website.
(2) The public notice shall state its effective hour and date and shall be published on the Department’s website at least 24 hours in advance of the effective hour and date.
(3) The Secretary shall make a reasonable effort to disseminate a public notice issued under this section through various other media so that an affected individual has a reasonable opportunity to be informed.
(4) A violation of the restrictions set by the Secretary in accordance with this section is a violation of this regulation.

## Nearby sections

- [COMAR 08.18.01.01 COMAR 08.18.01.01. Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_01.md)
- [COMAR 08.18.01.02 COMAR 08.18.01.02. Exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_02.md)
- [COMAR 08.18.01.03 COMAR 08.18.01.03. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_03.md)
- [COMAR 08.18.01.04 COMAR 08.18.01.04. Rules of the Road](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_04.md)
- [COMAR 08.18.01.05 COMAR 08.18.01.05. General Operation of Boats](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_05.md)
- [COMAR 08.18.01.06 COMAR 08.18.01.06. Water Skiing — Towed Devices Requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_06.md)
- [COMAR 08.18.01.07 COMAR 08.18.01.07. Operating Under the Influence of Intoxicants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_07.md)
- [COMAR 08.18.01.08 COMAR 08.18.01.08. Boating on White Water Portions of Designated Stream Segments](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_08.md)
- [COMAR 08.18.01.09 COMAR 08.18.01.09. Wake Surfing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_09.md)
- [COMAR 08.18.01.10 COMAR 08.18.01.10. Artificial Ballast](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_10.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MD_COMAR_08_18_01_04. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.