Maryland Welcome to Boating Clinics

The Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are organizing two "Welcome to Boating" Clinics in cooperation with the BoatUS Foundation. The clinics will be held May 4 and 6 from 4-7 p.m. at Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis MD.

Recreational boaters and other enthusiasts are invited to join industry professionals to learn and/or refresh boating skills.

The Chesapeake Bay is known for its boats and other pleasure craft. There are over 200,000 registered boats and 12,550 Personal Watercraft (PWC) registered in Maryland.

Maryland Boat Parades 2015

A variety of boat parades will be held around Maryland for the 2015 Christmas season. The following list includes events on the Eastern Shore and Western Shore:

Baltimore

The Baltimore Parade of Lighted Boats is scheduled to occur in the Northwest and Inner Harbors at Baltimore, MD on December 5, 2015, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.The parade consists of 36 sail and power vessels of various lengths that will gather near Fells Point in the Northwest Harbor, proceed to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and return to Fells Point.

A lighted boat parade is scheduled to occur in the Middle River on November 28, 2015, between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The parade consists of up to 50 sail and power vessels operating on the Middle River.

Annapolis

The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade is scheduled to occur in Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek on December 12, 2015, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event includes two separate boat parade routes.

Solomons Island

A holiday season lighted boat parade is scheduled to occur on the Patuxent River, Solomons Harbor, and Back Creek at Solomons, MD on December 5, 2015, from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The boat parade consists of 15 sail and power vessels operating on a designated route that includes Solomons Harbor, Back Creek and the Patuxent River, before returning to Solomons Harbor.

Salisbury

A lighted boat parade is scheduled to occur in the upper Wicomico River on November 28, 2015, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The parade consists of approximately 15 power vessels beginning at the Wicomico Yacht Club in Wicomico Creek and transiting the Wicomico River upriver to the Port of Salisbury, MD, before returning to Wicomico Creek.

source: U.S Coast Guard 5th District

Maryland Boating Events

Boaters and other nautical enthusiasts will find a never-ending list of boating-related events in Maryland. Things to do include boat docking contests, boat races, exhibitions, festivals, and other events.

2015 Boating Events

Pocomoke Boat Docking Challenge
Saturday August 29, 2015
Downtown Pocomoke City, MD

Deal Island Skipjack Races and Festival
September 5-7, 2015
Deal Island Harbor
10319 Richard Webster Road
Deal Island, MD 21821

National Hard Crab Derby
September 3, 4, 5, 6, 2015
Somers Cove Marina
Crisfield, MD

Crisfield Maryland Boat Docking Contest
September 6, 2015
Somers Cove Marina
Crisfield, MD

Solomons Plein Air Festival
September 15 – 20, 2015
Solomons Riverwalk
Solomons Island MD

Water Works Art Exhibition
September 17, 2015 to November 01, 2015
Maryland Federation of Art
Annapolis, MD

Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Long Wharf Park
Cambridge, MD 21613

Crisfield Maryland Dock Day on the Bay
September 26, 2015
Somers Cove Marina
Crisfield, MD 21817

Tales of Annapolis & the Chesapeake Bay (boat cruise)
October 01, 2015 11:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Departs: Cruises on the Bay by Watermark
Annapolis, MD

Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival and Maritime Model Expo
October 3-4, 2015
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
St. Michaels, MD

Downrigging Weekend - Tall Ship and Wooden Boat Festival
October 29- November 1, 2015
Chestertown Waterfront
Chestertown, MD

Baltimore Tall Ships 2015

Several tall ships will be visiting Baltimore during late summer and fall 2015.

The following is a partial list of tall ship arrivals:

USCGC James (WMSL-754) – 418' cutter
Dates: Aug. 18-21    
Location: Fells Point, Broadway Pier

USCGC Eagle – 295' tall ship
Dates: Aug. 28-31
Location: Inner Harbor, West Wall

Kalmar Nyckel – 141' tall ship
Dates: Sept. 10-14
Location: Inner Harbor, Pier 1

Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race Schooners in Baltimore
Dates: Oct. 11-14
Location: Baltimore Harbor

HNoMSStatsraad Lehmkuhl – 322' Norwegian tall ship
Dates: Nov. 4-10 
Location: Inner Harbor, West Wall

Maryland Boat Noise Regulations

New boat noise regulations affect boaters on Deep Creek Lake, the Bohemia River, the Elk and Northeast Rivers and tributaries, and the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal. The State is providing citizens with free tests to determine if their boat is within the legal limit.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) will be conducting courtesy tests so boaters may determine if their vessel meets regulation guidelines.

Testing dates, times and locations are being scheduled and will be listed at dnr.state.md.us/boating/  and dnr.state.md.us/nrp/.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) established the regulations, which went into effect November 28, 2011, because of increasing citizen concern in these areas.

For the 2012 boating season, regulations prohibit boats with mufflers and muffler cut-out systems from exceeding the following noise levels.

* For engines manufactured before January 1, 1993, the noise level may not exceed 90 decibels (a).

* Those manufactured on or after January 1, 1993, the noise level may not exceed 88 decibels (a).

Boats manufactured after January 1990 must operate with a continuous muffler system and and may not operate a device that bypasses, reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of a muffler or noise suppression device or system.

The full regulation is located in COMAR 08.18.03 and may be accessed from the Maryland Division of State Documents website.

source: MD DNR

Susquehanna State Park Boat Launching Pier

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be making modifications to the boat launching pier in the Lapidum Area of Susquehanna State Park. The project will begin March 14 and should be completed in less than three work days, weather permitting.

Due to fabrication of the new floating pier, work cannot begin any sooner. One launch ramp will remain open during construction in order to minimize the interruption of public access. There may be brief periods during which both ramps will be closed due to safety concerns, however, every effort will be made to minimize any interruption if it is safe to do so.

The existing aluminum gangway will be removed and utilized at another DNR facility in the future. The gangway will be replaced with four sections of floating pier that will join the existing concrete floating pier. The floating pier sections will improve the use of the facility at both high and low tide. The modifications of the launching facility will ensure safe, user friendly access to the Susquehanna River for boaters.

For further information, including details on construction dates, please contact park headquarters at (410) 557-7994.

source: MD DNR

2011 Bay Bridge Boat Show

Bay Bridge Boat Show
Thursday, April 28         Noon to 6pm
Friday, Saturday, April 29-30    10am – 6pm
Sunday, May 1            10am – 5pm

Tickets:
Adults $12.
Children (7-12) $4.
Under 6 Free.
Two day ticket $19     

The annual Bay Bridge Boat Show in Stevensville, MD is scheduled to open its doors with special features April 28 – May 1, 2011.  In its twenty-ninth season, this show is recognized as the largest spring recreational boating extravaganza in the mid Atlantic.

The Marina facility has been completely renovated with high quality floating docks and a more efficient show layout. The revised exhibitor price list will allow your organization to display more boats or boating gear for less money. New show features and regional advertising are expected to attract more visitors to the show than any time in recent history.

For the 2011 show, several attractions are planned:

Delmarva Dock Dog Competition


MSSA Rockfish Tournament Weigh Station

Expansive Food Court

Children’s fishing activities and demonstrations by AllTackle on the weigh station

Daily seminars co-sponsored by Chesapeake Bay Magazine and Annapolis School of Seamanship

Live entertainment at the Pool Bar & Grill

Racing hydroplanes from Kent Island Racing Association

For tickets and complete details:

www.usboat.com
Phone 410-268-8828

Things To Do in Maryland in Winter: 27th Annual Fishing Expo and Boat Show

The 27th Annual Fishing Expo & Boat Show begins Maryland's outdoor show season with a huge display of freshwater, saltwater and offshore fishing tackle, boats, motors, trailers, marine accessories and many other fishing businesses and organizations.

With nearly 100,000 square feet of fishing equipment, the emphasis this year will be on tackle that is made for local fishing. In addition to tackle from all the major tackle manufacturers, exotic, foreign, custom and hard to find tackle from more than 50 manufacturers (most tailored specifically for this region) will be available.

The boat section will include more than 70,000 square feet of fishing boats, including saltwater and freshwater fishing boats.

A series of seminars will be presented by a lineup of 24 nationally known fishermen, local and regional fishing guides, experts and guest speakers.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Fishing Expo & Boat Show is a good way to get out and see what is new in Maryland saltwater and freshwater fishing.

Kent Island Boat Ramps Re-Open

Public boat ramps on Thompson Creek and Shipping Creek have re-opened following major renovations. Both of these popular boat ramps are located on Kent Island and have been closed since January for repairs.

The Thompson Creek Ramp was widened and has a new ADA accessible boarding pier. The Shipping Creek ramp was expanded and now has two launching lanes with a center boarding pier. The last major improvements to these facilities were made over 20 years ago.

Annapolis Nautical Flea Market

The 2nd Annual Annapolis Nautical Flea Market will be held May 29 & 30, 2010 at the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Shoppers can find nautical items or previously owned boats looking for a new home. This is a great way to practice sustainable boating!

Elk Neck State Park Boat Ramps To Close For Renovations

The Maryland Park Service will temporarily close the boat launching ramps in the Rogue’s Harbor area of Elk Neck State Park for renovations on or after March 22, due to safety concerns during the construction project. This area will remain closed for up to 10 weeks.

The existing piers, pilings and bulkhead were damaged by several storms and those damages will be repaired. Additionally, the decking on the piers and bulkhead will be replaced. The project will provide a safe and user friendly launching facility accessible to the public.

For further information contact park headquarters at (410) 287-5333.