Recreation Boating During Stay At Home

Recreation Boating During Stay At Home

Started
March 31, 2020
Petition to
Governor - Maryland Larry Hogan and 4 others
Signatures: 4,260Next Goal: 5,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by Island Watersports

This week Governor Larry Hogan announced a stay at home order for the State of Maryland (Order 20-03-30-01).   During the announcement, Hogan stated that outdoor activities would still be allowed while following the CDC and MDH's social distancing requirements.  Maryland Dept of Natural Resources released guidance that would dis-allow recreational boating.  This far-reaching guidance goes far beyond the CDC's and MDH's guidance to social distancing.  It also goes beyond DNR's own guidance to social distancing.  Below are publishing from various Maryland sources.

 

Publishings from the State

Order 20-03-30-01 - Engage in Outdoor Activities

Section II, b, v. allows for "Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, or biking, but only in compliance with paragraph III below and applicable social distancing guidance published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the Maryland Department of Health (“MDH”);"

 

Social Distancing per MDH Website FAQs PDF - March 20, 2020

The best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is through “social distancing,” which means avoiding close contact with others. Social distancing can take many forms, depending on your lifestyle and your family or living situation. Social distancing can include the following habits and steps:
• Avoid handshaking, hugging and other intimate types of greeting
• Avoid non-essential travel (your health care provider may have specific guidance for your situation)
• Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces
• Avoid unnecessary errands — consider ways to have essential items, like food and other household supplies, brought to you through delivery services or through family or social networks
As a preventive measure to slow COVID-19 outbreaks, Governor Hogan has banned gatherings of more than 10 people and closed restaurants, bars and movie theaters. Schools are also closed to avoid social contact with schoolchildren and staff.

 

MD DNR's Guidance as of March 31, 2020

Under the executive order, no Marylander should leave their home except for an essential reason. Therefore, recreational boating is not allowed. Subsistence hunting and fishing — limited hunting and limited recreational fishing and crabbing for sustenance — can continue, however social distancing must be adhered to strictly.

Some key guidelines include:

Only individuals, immediate family members, and people who reside together should engage in outdoor activities — these groups should be limited to 10 people or fewer, and distance of at least six feet from others should be maintained.

 

MD DNR's Social Distancing Guide - https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/COVID-19-Personal-Spacing-at-Parks.aspx 

Maryland Parks are still open, but in accordance with federal guidelines and state directives pertaining to COVID-19, we would like to share important information about how to keep yourself safe while using your state recreation facilities.

 
• If you are currently sick, please stay home. If you were recently sick, please follow CDC guidelines on when to stop home isolation.
Shelters, campgrounds, cabins, nature centers and park administrative buildings are closed.
• Limit your group to ten people or fewer, and stay at least six feet apart.
• Avoid the more popular trails in the parks and give other hikers plenty of space.
• Allow adequate personal spacing at popular sites, overlooks, and park features.
• Playgrounds are closed until further notice.
• Avoid congregating in the parking lot or at the bathhouses.

 

 

As you can see, social distancing can be followed without taking away the public's ability to recreationally boat, kayak, and canoe!  As the weather continues to warm the public should be, and many will argue the need to be, able to go outdoors instead of being stuck inside of your own home for 24 hours/day.  There is no reason Maryland residents with boats at their homes should not be allowed to use their boats as long as the social distancing guideline as followed.

 

Florida (America's most boated state) recently enacted Executive Order 20-09.  Governor DeSantis required all recreational boats must be at least 50 feet apart. Each recreational vessel must not have more than 10 people on board. 

“I hereby designate all waters of the state to be a boating-restricted area and the owners and operators of recreational vessels, as defined ins. 327.02, F.S., thereon are subject to the following restrictions: a. Recreational vessel occupancy is limited to no more than 10 persons per vessel; and b. A minimum distance of 50 feet between recreational vessels and any other vessel shall be maintained; i. This distance provision does not apply to permitted mooring fields, public or private marinas, or any other permanently installed wet slips, and does not apply to vessels underway unless they are tied, rafted or moored to another vessel. This Order shall be effective upon execution and shall expire when the Governor’s Executive Order 20-52, expires, or any extension thereof, unless rescinded or superseded at a sooner date.”

This goes perfectly with the CDC guidance but still allows residents with boats to enjoy the outdoors.

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Signatures: 4,260Next Goal: 5,000
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