MD DNR “no recreational boating allowed”

FYI,

Stopped and threatened with arrest today on Patapsco River by DNR. By myself in tender. Sighted no recreational boating allowed of any kind.

Hard to believe the total lack of common sense by LEO. I can reide a bike through a park with other people, drive a car to a store, but not isolate in a small boat.

What about a liveaboard on the hook or mooring needing food/supplies etc?

I have contacted local govt and BoatUS govt affairs.

Greetings,
Mr. S.


Recreational Boating

According to the Maryland DNR, recreational boating is prohibited until the governor lifts the executive order or until the State of Emergency has ended. However, if an individual is boating to seek food for them or their family, boating is permitted. Boats used to transport essential employees or goods as defined in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce are also permitted.
Liveaboards

If your boat serves as your residence, you can remain on the vessel.




What part of the regulation don't you understand? Why was the LEO lacking common sense? This has nothing to do with bike riding or going to a store.

That seems a bit unreasonable unless you had a boat load of people. But what about liveaboards? How are they supposed to get groceries? I guess I would tell them I was on a grocery run???

If you were rowing, you could have said it was exercise, a permitted activity. Kayaks and paddle boards are specifically mentioned.

If you live on your boat you’re allowed to stay on it. (Gee, that’s nice of them.)

You can also go boating to seek food. And you can fish if you intend to eat it. I guess if you don’t look like you’re enjoying yourself, it’s ok.

i guess if you don’t look like you’re enjoying yourself, it’s ok.[/QUOTE]

Good one!

What’s crazy is if the OP had a single crab trap in his dinghy, he would have been absolutely legal, saying he was crabbing to seek food for him and his family.

RT, I understand the regulation, but DNR clearly does not. “Absolutely no recreational boating”, “if I see you again I will cite you”, “there are fines and imprisonment involved”

Seems a bit harsh for a guy by himself in a tender. There were no questions of why, destination, etc.

I have recently been told kayaking, rowing etc. are also included in the no recreational boating by a buddy at Homeland Security as I am trying to figure out my options.

Porgy,

Just got a fishing license online. Will have a rod with me next time

But you were pursuing happiness.

High Wire said:

But you were pursuing happiness.

Click to expand...

Ha

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr. S.


Recreational Boating

According to the Maryland DNR, recreational boating is prohibited until the governor lifts the executive order or until the State of Emergency has ended. However, if an individual is boating to seek food for them or their family, boating is permitted. Boats used to transport essential employees or goods as defined in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce are also permitted.
Liveaboards

If your boat serves as your residence, you can remain on the vessel.




What part of the regulation don't you understand? Why was the LEO lacking common sense? This has nothing to do with bike riding or going to a store.

Click to expand...

Damn that regulation is a major overreach of government. If one is social distancing that should be good enough. Don' t get me wrong, our current pandemic is a total shitshow and folks that gather should be held accountable.. Next time the OP should start coughing.. I bet the Leo won't want to get anywhere near him!
HOLLYWOOD

Greetings,
Mr. h. Yup. Major overreach BUT what is the alternative? Around here, there are some pretty tight restrictions as well. People over 70 can't leave their houses. Not for food or exercise.

We were in Fort Lauderdale the middle of March. The beach was jam packed with spring breakers. No social distancing what-so-ever. I have no doubt IF the beaches hadn't been closed, they would STILL be busy. If not with drunk students, with northern vacationers.

I'm guessing most if not all TF members know what's going on and the value of some of the restrictions and abide by them but there seem to be a LOT of really stupid people who haven't got a clue as to the dangers. And yup, being alone, out in a dinghy seems pretty sensible to me.

Final point: We don't know what the mental state of the LEO was. He may have been completely stressed out and simply overreacted, he was just doing his job or he was "one of those" LEO's (Barney Fife syndrome).

The temporary ban on recreactional boating, went into effect with Govenor Hogan's Stay at Home order that was issued yesterday. The order covers both residents and non-residents.

There are a lot of exceptions to the stay at home order, i.e., food, pharmacy, essential services. Were you getting supplies? If you had a valid reason to be on the dingy, this should have been shared with the LEO. Otherwise, I think the response was appropriate.

Governor Hogan is a Republican governor in a Democratic state. He is in his second term as most Marylanders appreciated for his pragmatic approach to governing. As a resident, I find the Stay at Home order to be necessary to stop our Covid-19 rate from exploding, especially since we see increases in both cases and deaths, even with the previous common sense approaches implemented in the state.

You always have the freedom to move your boat to another state!

Jim

JLD said:

You always have the freedom to move your boat to another state!

Click to expand...

Once the restriction is lifted!

The same applies to RV over night stays? Once in, cant leave?
What about long haul truckers with an attached sleeper?
Going out to dump my sanitary tank or searching for a pump out facility?
In this particular case, I do not believe 'they' have thought this through properly.

Upon earlier advice, if I find I want to move my boat..... I will try not to look like I am enjoying myself.

Guess you could tell the LOE, "I need help. Come aboard." Tell them, "Go into the engine room and look for seawater leaks or if he hears any strange noises."

OldDan1943 said:

The same applies to RV over night stays? Once in, cant leave?
."

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King Hogan also closed all the campground/RV parks in the state. Full timers that were there can stay.

John

They have been a bit more reasonable here in FL. We can still use our boats, but maintain 50' separation between other boats, and no more than 10 persons on board. No going on public beaches, but you are allowed to anchor 400' off the beach.

ronlord said:

They have been a bit more reasonable here in FL. We can still use our boats, but maintain 50' separation between other boats, and no more than 10 persons on board. No going on public beaches, but you are allowed to anchor 400' off the beach.

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Ron

To my knowledge MD is the only state attempting to close off the public’s waterways including both inland and tidal waters.

John

Think about. The waterways are Federal. The governor has no more right to close the waters as he does to close the roadways. So, can liveaboards move their boats away from their berths. Apparently.

johnrupp said:

Ron

To my knowledge MD is the only state attempting to close off the public’s waterways including both inland and tidal waters.

John

Click to expand...

ronlord said:

They have been a bit more reasonable here in FL. We can still use our boats, but maintain 50' separation between other boats, and no more than 10 persons on board. No going on public beaches, but you are allowed to anchor 400' off the beach.

Click to expand...

LOL You have got to making that up.

No longer can we provide assistance to boater in trouble unless you have a 50ft+ boat.

I guess the 'day boats for tourist fishing' and gambling boats are all shut down and welded to the dock "until further notice"?

And I just opened a floating brothel boat. SHRUG Bankrupt again and all the skilled ladies.... unemployed .....
Next, no more smuggling of people and guns and drugs. What's an honest guy to do for employment?

Hmmm, think I have been in quarantine too long?

I need to get my boat from Colonial Beach to Krentz Marine Railway on the 18th (5 hours ride at 7 knots). It will just be me onboard, so I may chance it. Krentz is staying open, as off now. This is on the Potomac for those of you who do not know. Both ports are in Virginia, but the Potomac is Maryland waters.


I believe I will be OK though as this is for necessary repairs (leaking rudder boxes and a strut bolt weeping). Oh, and bottom paint and zincs.

catalinajack said:

Think about. The waterways are Federal. The governor has no more right to close the waters as he does to close the roadways. So, can liveaboards move their boats away from their berths. Apparently.

Click to expand...

The waterways are NOT closed. There is a temporary ban on recreational boating. Boating on all bodies of water in Maryland, even private lakes, falls under Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

One can use a boat (or a dingy) for any essential purpose. Taking a boat out for a cruise is not an essential purpose.

With the Stay at Home Order, I can't even go to the storage lot and pick up (or work on) my trailer sailboat. Hoped for one last sail before I cleaned her up and listed her for sale. Is it inconvenient? Yes. But, more importantly, it is necessary for public health.

Regarding state government approach to the pandemic, personally, I would much rather be in Maryland with the response that our governor has taken, that in Florida where the beaches have, until just recently, been open to the public.

Jim

catalinajack said:

Think about. The waterways are Federal. The governor has no more right to close the waters as he does to close the roadways. So, can liveaboards move their boats away from their berths. Apparently.

Click to expand...

I wondered that myself John. I see on the DNR site that liveaboards can continue to reside on their boats but don’t see anything about them leaving their slips.

John

JLD's comment.... "One can use a boat (or a dingy) for any essential purpose. Taking a boat out for a cruise is not an essential purpose."

"But officer, I am running away from foolish and useless govt boating regulations. That is essential."

Cant dock cruise ships because of the possibility of disease spread. Maybe next, no cargo ships permitted to dock because one of the crew might contribute to the disease spread.
No more passenger flights because it has been proven that some of the passengers carry the disease.
Maybe the pilot and crew must stay on board their plane of involved with air freight flights because they might be disease carriers.

Fine, let's all play the 15 day rule..... and after 15 days, everything will be fine.
One governor has now extend the quarantine in his state until June. I do believe this is a NE state. I forgot which.

If there is a bright side to this, it will show our citizens what it would be like under a socialist or communist govt. Rights restricted, food shortages and rationing...
Locally, the grocery store, one loaf of bread, 1 dozen eggs, 2 cans of baked beans.... soup, 1 or 2 cans..... No TP yet. Few cleaning supplies, and and and.

If one cannot use a waterway without being arrested I would say that, yes, the waterways are closed. I do emphatically support the Governor Hogan's closure order but this aspect is ridiculous. So, no boats can now transit Maryland's waterways regardless of whether they never touch shore. A boater can easily transit the length of the Maryland portion of the bay in three days, even in a slow boat so no need to come in contact with other human beings. We are liveaboards but, pray tell, what is the difference if we stay tied to the dock or go out and anchor on the Rhode River for a couple of days. In fact, since we use the bathrooms and laundry facilities here, I think being anchored out amounts to less exposure for all.

By the way, liquor stores are open. Beer and liquor are essential? And, I am anything but a tee-totaler. The liquor stores should not be open and I should be able to take my boat out for a cruise and back to my dock.

JLD said:

The waterways are NOT closed. There is a temporary ban on recreational boating. Boating on all bodies of water in Maryland, even private lakes, falls under Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

One can use a boat (or a dingy) for any essential purpose. Taking a boat out for a cruise is not an essential purpose.

With the Stay at Home Order, I can't even go to the storage lot and pick up (or work on) my trailer sailboat. Hoped for one last sail before I cleaned her up and listed her for sale. Is it inconvenient? Yes. But, more importantly, it is necessary for public health.

Regarding state government approach to the pandemic, personally, I would much rather be in Maryland with the response that our governor has taken, that in Florida where the beaches have, until just recently, been open to the public.

Jim

Click to expand...

catalinajack said:

By the way, liquor stores are open. Beer and liquor are essential? And, I am anything but a tee-totaler. The liquor stores should not be open and I should be able to take my boat out for a cruise and back to my dock.

Click to expand...

I've heard it mentioned that with the risk of hospital overloading, it's considered better to keep the liquor stores open than to close them and end up with a bunch of alcoholics in withdrawal taking up hospital beds.

JLD said:

The temporary ban on recreactional boating, went into effect with Govenor Hogan's Stay at Home order that was issued yesterday. The order covers both residents and non-residents.



There are a lot of exceptions to the stay at home order, i.e., food, pharmacy, essential services. Were you getting supplies? If you had a valid reason to be on the dingy, this should have been shared with the LEO. Otherwise, I think the response was appropriate.



Governor Hogan is a Republican governor in a Democratic state. He is in his second term as most Marylanders appreciated for his pragmatic approach to governing. As a resident, I find the Stay at Home order to be necessary to stop our Covid-19 rate from exploding, especially since we see increases in both cases and deaths, even with the previous common sense approaches implemented in the state.



You always have the freedom to move your boat to another state!



Jim

Click to expand...

https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gatherings-FOURTH-AMENDED-3.30.20.pdf

https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2020/03/30/dnr-issues-guidance-on-governor-hogans-stay-at-home-order/

Jim,

I’ve attached both Gov Hogan’s order and the DNRs interpretation of it. Nowhere in either document do I see where they apply to a nonresident of MD. Am I missing something?

I see a few different situations here,

A boat passing through the state from say FL to Maine.

A resident or non resident who wants to move their boat from MD to another state.

A non resident who keeps their boat in MD who wants to use it in the tidal waters within MD.

Just looking for direction on these issues.

John

Jack, "By the way, liquor stores are open. Beer and liquor are essential? And, I am anything but a tee-totaler. The liquor stores should not be open and I should be able to take my boat out for a cruise and back to my dock".

so you dont drink. Can the brothels and massage parlors remain open?
LOL

John, "Just looking for direction on these issues."

One way to find out is to take your ticket along with the State and DNR interpretation to court...

Alas, first you must remain in quarantine before setting a foot on shore.
"oh what a tangled web we weave...."

JLD said:

The waterways are NOT closed. There is a temporary ban on recreational boating. Boating on all bodies of water in Maryland, even private lakes, falls under Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

One can use a boat (or a dingy) for any essential purpose. Taking a boat out for a cruise is not an essential purpose.

With the Stay at Home Order, I can't even go to the storage lot and pick up (or work on) my trailer sailboat. Hoped for one last sail before I cleaned her up and listed her for sale. Is it inconvenient? Yes. But, more importantly, it is necessary for public health.

Regarding state government approach to the pandemic, personally, I would much rather be in Maryland with the response that our governor has taken, that in Florida where the beaches have, until just recently, been open to the public.

Jim

Click to expand...

You know there are still like 10 counties in Fl that have 0 cases reported?


All those counties combined might be the size of Maryland or close.


I walk around my county and go into stores and I never get within 10 feet of people.


It's densely populated areas that seem to me to be the concern...kinda basic disease spread theory.


I would rather be in a state that allows smart people to govern small chunks rather than panic and close areas that don't really need to be on lockdown (herd mentality).

It seems that density and behavior that truly matters....not laws (consistently broken all over).