New laws passed in Annapolis are expected to be a boon for the state of Maryland marinas.
Where previously, the law required all vessels over 24 metres to engage a pilot, the new law allows for craft up to 60 metres to navigate state waters without incurring the $268-an-hour cost of hiring a state-licensed bay pilot.
Yachts based on the US East Coast typically cruise in the waters of New York, Newport, R.I., and New England in the summer, moving south in winter to Florida or the Caribbean Area.
Many yachts use Annapolis as a way point between the two areas often stopping on the way north or south for fuel or repairs and authorities and businesses there hope more will now consider the port as a stopping off point now the high costs of pilotage are no longer a deterrent.