2015 Maryland Code
NATURAL RESOURCES
Title 8 - WATERS
Subtitle 7 - STATE BOAT ACT
§ 8-727 - Enforcement of subtitle by officers; use of visual or audible signals

(a) Definitions. --

(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) "Elude" means to evade a police officer's visual or audible signal to stop by:

(i) Willfully failing to stop the vessel;

(ii) Fleeing on foot; or

(iii) Any other means.

(3) "Police officer" means an officer who is:

(i) In uniform, prominently displaying the officer's badge or other insignia of office; or

(ii) In a vessel that is appropriately marked as an official law enforcement vessel, whether or not the officer is in uniform.

(4) "Visual or audible signal" means a warning or command by hand, voice, emergency light, signal device, or siren.

(b) Authority of officers generally. -- A Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer enforcing the provisions of this subtitle may stop, board, or inspect any vessel subject to this subtitle.

(c) Use of flashing blue lights or signal devices. --

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual who is on a vessel may not display or operate a flashing blue light or signal device.

(2) A police officer who is on a vessel of a county, municipal, State, or federal law enforcement agency may display and operate flashing blue lights or signal devices while responding to or at the scene of an emergency or pursuing a violator or suspected violator of the law.

(d) Operator's duty to yield right-of-way or stop vessel. -- On the immediate approach of a law enforcement vessel lawfully using a flashing blue light or signal device, an operator of another vessel, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall:

(1) Yield the right-of-way; and

(2) Stop the vessel and stay in that position until the law enforcement vessel has passed.

(e) Attempt to elude officer prohibited. -- An operator of a vessel may not elude or attempt to elude a police officer who gives a visual or audible signal to the operator to stop.

(f) Penalties for violations. --

(1) A person who violates subsection (c) or (d) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 500.

(2) A person who violates subsection (e) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction:

(i) For a first offense, is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both; and

(ii) For a subsequent offense, is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.