Water Safety in Maryland

In Maryland, put a properly fitted life jacket on every child under 13 in any small boat, and wear one yourself. Maryland's Natural Resources Police (NRP) say that in four of the past five years, more than 90 percent of boating victims were not wearing one. Off the boat, stay out of the Potomac in Montgomery County, and learn how ocean surf currents work before a beach trip.

Maryland drowning and boating numbers

90%+

• State count: NRP says that in 2023, Maryland recorded 123 boating accidents, including 43 with injuries and 11 that were fatal (opens in a new tab), and that four of the past five years saw double-digit fatal accidents.
• Coast Guard count: the U.S. Coast Guard counted 112 reportable recreational boating incidents in Maryland in 2024, with 6 deaths and 72 injuries (opens in a new tab). Deaths by year: 7 in 2020, 6 in 2021, 11 in 2022, 10 in 2023 and 6 in 2024.
• Drowning: CDC puts Maryland's average annual drowning death rate for 2018-2021 at 1.01 per 100,000 people (opens in a new tab), below the U.S. rate of 1.31.
• Shoreline: NOAA lists 3,190 miles of official shoreline (opens in a new tab) for Maryland, a figure that follows its bays and tidal rivers.

The state and the Coast Guard count incidents differently, so their totals differ. Don't mix them. See our Maryland data page.

Maryland's child life jacket law

The Natural Resources Police explain the law in detail. Since April 1, 2010, all children under the age of 13 must WEAR a United States Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (opens in a new tab) while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet on Maryland waters. That includes motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks and rowboats. The jacket must fit the child and be in good condition.

Children under 4 need a life jacket with extra features:

• a strap between the legs that fastens the front and back together;
• an inflatable headrest or high collar to support the head;
• a web handle, so the child can be lifted from the water.

The rule does not apply when the boat is moored or anchored, or when the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin. See life jackets for babies and kids.

Other Maryland boating rules

From NRP:

• Certificate: anyone born after July 1, 1972 must have a certificate of boating safety education (opens in a new tab) to operate a motorized vessel.
• No bow riding: sitting on the edge of a moving boat is dangerous and against the law in Maryland (opens in a new tab). Ride inside the boat.
• Sober skipper: alcohol is a leading cause of recreational boater deaths. Pick a driver who stays sober. Read boating under the influence.
• Plan ahead: file a float plan, check the forecast, and keep a charged phone or VHF radio handy.

The Potomac River

Along the C&O Canal, the National Park Service says swimming is not allowed in the canal waters and is prohibited within the Washington, DC and Montgomery County, MD section of the Potomac River (opens in a new tab). Elsewhere it discourages swimming, because many people have drowned after underestimating the current, drinking, or misjudging the depth. Read river safety.

The ocean at Assateague

At Assateague Island National Seashore, the Park Service warns that conditions at the beach and in the surf zone can change dramatically in very short periods of time (opens in a new tab). Learn how surf zone currents work before you go, and practice how to escape a rip current.

What you can do today

• Check every child's life jacket: right size, buckled, and a crotch strap, collar and handle for kids under 4.
• Get your boating safety certificate if you were born after July 1, 1972.
• Make "no bow riding" a rule on your boat.
• Tell teens and visitors: no swimming in the Potomac near DC.
• Find swim lessons with our guide to finding swim lessons.