WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                         Ch. 216

Section 8-727.1

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1990 Replacement Volume and 1992 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

8-727.1.

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION "PUBLIC SAFETY ACTIVITY" INCLUDES:

(1) (I) PATROLLING A MARINE PARADE, REGATTA, OR SPECIAL
WATER CELEBRATION;

(2)      (II) TRAFFIC CONTROL;

(3)      (III) SALVAGE;

(4)      (IV) FIRE FIGHTING;

(5)      (V) MEDICAL ASSISTANCE;

(6)      (VI) ASSISTING A DISABLED VEHICLE VESSEL; AND
(7)      (VII) SEARCH AND RESCUE.

(2) "PUBLIC SAFETY ACTIVITY" DOES NOT INCLUDE ROUTINE TOWING.

[(a)](B) Except as provided in subsection [(b)] (C) of this section, an individual
who is on a vessel may not display or operate a flashing, alternating red and yellow light
or signal device.

[(b) A member of a municipal, county, or volunteer fire, rescue, or ambulance
department or company who is on a fire, rescue, or ambulance vessel of a municipal,
county, or volunteer fire, rescue, or ambulance department or company may display and
operate flashing, alternating red and yellow lights or signal devices while responding to or
at the scene of an emergency.

(c) On the immediate approach of a fire, rescue, or ambulance vessel lawfully
using a flashing, alternating red and yellow 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 fire, rescue, or
ambulance vessel has passed.]

(C) (1) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS ON A VESSEL ENGAGED IN A GOVERNMENT
SANCTIONED PUBLIC SAFETY ACTIVITY OR A COMMERCIAL VESSEL PERFORMING A
PUBLIC SAFETY ACTIVITY MAY DISPLAY AN ALTERNATELY FLASHING RED AND
YELLOW LIGHT SIGNAL.

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