Boating Safety in Maryland

HOW TO CONTACT US


Boating Safety CLASSROOM Courses to Resume in 2021​

Please make note that many of our instructors are still very cautious and concerned about COVID-19 so, these classroom courses may be very limited. Since the changes brought forth by the pandemic, the unit continues to work diligently with the current MD boating safety instructors to provide an excellent virtual, online boating safety program! They are doing an excellent job maneuvering through the challenges of the virtual world in order to continuing educating the boaters of Maryland.​

These virtual classes offer the same high standard of instruction as the classroom except there is no travel time and you can relax at home while taking the course. All courses are taught by independent Agreement Groups contracted to follow the guidelines associated with offering the Maryland Basic Boating course. These guidelines are set by NASBLA (the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) in conjunction with the State and, a certificate of boating safety is awarded to all those students who pass the final exam. We hope you can take advantage of one of these excellent course offerings!


Please Note:

Maryland is Offering Virtual/Classroom Boating Safety Classes

The Safety Education and Outreach Unit has been working tirelessly to continue to provide the best possible education for recreational boaters during this difficult time. The MD Basic Boating Course, normally offered in the classroom, is now being offered on-line VIRTUALLY, with a live instructor. These virtual classes offer the same high standard of instruction as the classroom except there is no travel time and you can relax at home while taking the course. All courses are taught by independent Agreement Groups contracted to follow the guidelines associated with offering the Maryland Basic Boating course. These guidelines are set by NASBLA (the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) in conjunction with the State and, a certificate of boating safety is awarded to all those students who pass the final exam.

​Virtual/Classroom Boating Safety Classes

Along with the Virtual/Classroom boating safety courses​, Maryland also offers courses on-line through the following private providers.​

​Successful completion of any one of the online courses listed above will satisfy Maryland’s boating safety education requirement.

We will resume normal operations as soon as safely possible. Please continue to check the department’s boating​ safety class website for any updates.

​Anyone with questions should email nrpsafetyed.dnr@maryland.gov.


The Boating Safety Education Law requires that anyone born on, or after July 1, 1972, must have a certificate of boating safety education on them while operating a numbered or documented vessel on Maryland waters. Click here to learn how to obtain a valid Boating Safety Certificate.
Lifejacket information 
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Online Services

 

Chesapeake Bay Hotline

Call 1-877-224-7229
to report any of the following

  • Boating accident or reckless activity
  • Fish kill or algal bloom
  • Floating debris that poses a hazard to navigation
  • Illegal fishing activity
  • Public sewer leak or overflow
  • Oil or hazardous material spill
  • Critical area or wetlands violation
  • Suspicious or unusual activity