After boating in New Jersey for 38 years, we moved our boat to Crisfield, MD. Our boat (37 FT.) is berthed in our condo's marina. It is not on a lift like most smaller craft there. There are 4 other boats also in the water. My gripe is the total disregard for the wakes created by the passing waterman, recreational boaters and even the DNR police!. There are buoys posted that "You Are Responsible For Your Wake." Why not post "No Wake". In NJ it's No Wake or nothing. I even had some pontoon boater come into the marina to drop off some people, and he began to leave there like someone was chasing him. I yelled no wake to him and he blurted something that he knew what he was doing.Are you Maryland boaters that arrogant? I'm sure it's a very small majority of you.Just have some respect for us on the Little Annemesex River.
Boating Courtesy In Maryland
- Thread starter kauaiman
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You should see them in their cars
Maryland boaters?? Ever heard of the "Pennsylvania Navy"? 
The issue (IMO) is that MD throws so many regs at boaters that, unless a boater sees an area clearly defined as "No Wake" (for which a boater can be cited by the DNR)they pretty much ignore the need to watch their wake. Signs such as "You Are Responsible for Your Wake" do not hold any weight with the law or the DNR but rather make it a civil issue. Not arrogance by the boaters as much as ignorance. The Watermen, on the other hand, have no time for us recreational boaters since they only see us as an hindering their ability to earn a living.
The issue (IMO) is that MD throws so many regs at boaters that, unless a boater sees an area clearly defined as "No Wake" (for which a boater can be cited by the DNR)they pretty much ignore the need to watch their wake. Signs such as "You Are Responsible for Your Wake" do not hold any weight with the law or the DNR but rather make it a civil issue. Not arrogance by the boaters as much as ignorance. The Watermen, on the other hand, have no time for us recreational boaters since they only see us as an hindering their ability to earn a living.
When we were in rock hall MD we'd be woke up by a large wake at 5am from the commercial boats coming and going. We were in a 47'er getting rocked.
Quote: You should see them in their cars
Appreciate them! You should see Fl drivers! Texting, weaving in and out all while drinking a beer and smoking a cig in a POS pick 'em up with the Stars and Bars waving from a pole in the bed, (no vehicle inspections here). Forgot about their dawg hanging out the pass window too. Yeee Haaaa!
Quote: You should see them in their cars
Appreciate them! You should see Fl drivers! Texting, weaving in and out all while drinking a beer and smoking a cig in a POS pick 'em up with the Stars and Bars waving from a pole in the bed, (no vehicle inspections here). Forgot about their dawg hanging out the pass window too. Yeee Haaaa!
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I had a discussion with a DNR officer who told me specifically in Kent Narrows that it is a 6mph area and not a no wake zone. They only ask you to slow down if the wake is excessive. So you may have the same issue in Crisfield. The problem is they are not doing 6mph they are doing 10-12 plus the current.
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Enemasex river? There is just sumptin really really wrong about naming a river that!
After almost having my son run over by a 40 foot boater in fair lee creek, I would suggest everyone review the laws of boating. I would suggest the bigger issue is drunk boaters with no respect for others. The problem is that the people who need to read this never will.
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I'd like to see the marine police get tougher in general. Cite more boaters for infractions, and word will get around.
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My favorite is a bass boat that comes in and out of Still Pond Creek to fish. They come in through the anchorage on plane. Fish a bit, and then light it back up through all the anchored boats on their way back out. I stopped anchoring there for that. I also chewed a guy out on a jet boat the other week in Fairlee as he was running all over the anchorage on plane. He argued that while it's a 6mph zone, he doesn't have much of a wake. I countered with "yeah, but people are swimming and you can see them!". I think ignorance and stupidity were to blame in both examples, not necessarily alcohol.
What marine police?
I think there are only about half a dozen NRP officers on the MD portion of the Chesapeake, and they're usually trying to fight poaching. Baltimore City Police have been known to be active in Baltimore harbor, but that's just one small section.I've seen similar ignorant/stupid boating in Florida. I don't think this is unique to the Chesapeake. Although I will admit the "me" mentality in the Baltimore-DC area is much stronger.
Capt. Bill1
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Yeah, why is it the worst drivers from every other state end up here in Florida.
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Then there are the bass boaters who slow down until they are plowing through the water and putting up a two-foot wake.
"I'm only going 5 mph!"