Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 08 - DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Subtitle 18 - BOATING-SPEED LIMITS AND OPERATION OF VESSELS
Chapter 08.18.40 - JetPack Vessel
Section 08.18.40.03 - Definitions

Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 08.18.40.03

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, March 22, 2024

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) Boat unit refers to the portion of the jetpack vessel that contains the jet pump and water intake valve or valves. The boat unit includes:
(a) A separately registered personal watercraft that is attached to the jet propelled device via a high pressure water hose; or

(b) A streamlined hull consisting of an engine and water pump that is connected to the jet propelled device via a high pressure water hose.

(2) Class A vessel means a motorboat less than 16 feet in length as defined by the U.S. Coast Guard in 46 CFR § 24.10-17.

(3) Department refers to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

(4) Helmet means a water sport helmet.

(5) Instructor is any person that provides instruction regarding the operation and use of the jetpack vessel.

(6) JetPack vessel refers to a system whereby a jet propelled device is attached via a high pressure water hose to a boat unit that contains a jet pump. The boat unit intakes water and pumps it through the high pressure water hose to the jet propelled device, which is capable of elevating a rider from the surface of the water.

(7) Jet Propelled Device refers to the portion of the jetpack vessel where the rider is seated or standing including, but not limited to, jet propelled boards, jetpacks and water bikes.

(8) Observer means a person other than the rider that is responsible for the safety of the rider and all equipment involved in the jetpack vessel operation.

(9) Operate means to navigate or otherwise use a vessel, including movement that supports a person in the water or air.

(10) Operator is the person that controls the thrust of the jet propelled device. The operator may also serve as the rider.

(11) Owner means the person or entity that registers the jetpack vessel.

(12) Personal watercraft means a Class A vessel which:
(a) Has an inboard motor which uses an internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive propulsion;

(b) Is designed with the concept that the operator and passenger ride on the outside surfaces of the vessel as opposed to riding inside the vessel;

(c) Has the probability that the operator and passenger may, in the normal course of use, fall overboard; and

(d) Is designed with no open load-carrying area which would retain water.

(13) Porpoise-like motion means the intentional operation of the jet propelled device under the surface of the water for a lateral distance of more than 2 feet and then resurfacing.

(14) Rescue vessel means a fully navigable motorized vessel sufficient to carry all of the people involved in the jetpack vessel activity.

(15) Restricted visibility means any condition in which visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.

(16) Rider is the person actually on the jet propelled device. The rider may also serve as the operator.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maryland may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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