194 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 69

(a) "VESSEL" means every description of watercraft, other than
a seaplane or a boat under

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TWEN-
TY-FIVE (25) feet in length propelled only by sail, used or capable
of being used as a means of transportation on water or on ice, it
being the intent that ice boats shall be regarded as watercraft for
the purposes of this Article;

(b) "MOTORBOAT" means any vessel equipped with propelling
machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of
propulsion;

(c) "WATERS OF MARYLAND" means all waters^ within the
jurisdiction of this State, the marginal sea adjacent to this State, and
the high seas when navigated as a part of a ride or journey to or
from the shore of this State;

(d) "OPERATE" means to navigate or otherwise use a vessel;

(e) "OWNER" means a person, other than a lien holder, having
the property in or title to a motorboat VESSEL. The term includes
a person entitled to the use or possession of a motorboat VESSEL
subject to an interest in another person, reserved or created by agree-
ment and securing payment of performance of an obligation, but the
term excludes a lessee under a lease not intended as security;

(f) "OPERATOR" means the person who operates or has charge
of the navigation or use of a vessel.

2. ADMINISTRATION

(a) Within the limitations hereinafter set forth, the Department
of Tidewater Fisheries is the primary agency for the administration
of this Article.

(b) The Department of Game and Inland Fish is designated to
administer this Article upon the non-tidal waters of Maryland, and
is also authorized to accept any additional jurisdictional authority
which may be delegated to it by the Department of Tidewater Fish-
eries and which is granted under this Article.

3. POLICY

It is hereby declared to be the intent of this Article to achieve, so
far as practicable, uniformity of regulations, requirements, pro-
cedures and methods with respect to the numbering, operation, and
equipment for the safety of life and property of all vessels subject
to this Article and which may be within the jurisdiction of either
the Department of Tidewater Fisheries or the Department of Game
and Inland Fish; that the highest degree of cooperation shall exist
between these two agencies; and that, to the fullest extent practicable,
these agencies shall foster the development, use and enjoyment of all
the waters of Maryland. It is further declared to be the intent of this
Article that there shall be the fullest possible cooperation with neigh-
boring States and the Federal government in connection with assist-
ance and rescue operations and in the enforcement of laws and reg-
ulations relating to recreational boating safety.

4. PROCEDURES AND PURPOSES

(a) For the purposes of orderly administration, especially in offi-
cial contacts with other States and the federal government, all reports