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Boater Safety

Age Restrictions:

Persons less than 12yrs of age 

May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp legally without restrictions.

  • May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp legally only if they:

  • Have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat and…

  • Are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years of age.

  • May not operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp legally under any conditions.

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PERSONAL WATERCRAFT:

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Those less than 14 years of age may not legally operate a PWC.

Those 14 and 15 years of age may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate and…

 

  • He or she is accompanied on board by his or her parent or legal guardian or by a person at least 21 years of age who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian or…

  • He or she is operating or riding the PWC at a distance of not more than 100 feet from his or her parent or legal guardian or from a person at least 21 years of age who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian.

Those at least 16 years of age and born after December 31,1978, may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate.

Those born on or before December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally without restrictions.

Enforcement:

Michigan law enforcement officers patrol the waterways to make your boating experience safe and pleasant. The boating laws of Michigan are enforced by officers of the Law Enforcement Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, county sheriff’s department, USCG, and any other authorized law enforcement agency. They have the right to stop and board vessels in order to check for compliance with federal and state laws. 

Carry the Card: Vessel operators who are required to have a Boater Education Card must carry the card on board the vessel and have it available for inspection by an enforcement officer.

Not carrying your Boater Education Card when one is required can result in a fine!

Boater Safety Tips:

Excerpts from the Michigan Boating Laws Handbook

* Travel around the lake in a counter clockwise direction.

​* When overtaking another watercraft always pass on its port (the left) side.

* Motorboats must give way to non-motorized vessels such as sailboats, rowboats, sailboards, and kayaks.

* Watercraft must stay at least 100' from shore, docks, rafts, and anchored boats unless traveling at a no-wake speed.

* A boat or personal watercraft pulling skiers, tubers, etc. must have a spotter - a person other than the driver - to watch those being towed. 

* Maximum boating speed on an inland lake is 55 mph.

* It is illegal to operate a PWC (personal watercraft/jet ski) from sunset to 8 a.m.

* Jumping the wake with a PWC can be construed as reckless behavior  regardless of your distance from the boat generating the wake. 

* PWC should stay at least 200' from fishermen.

* PWC owners who allow a friend to operate their boat can also be ticketed for any infraction even if the owners are not on the boat.

* Only a 3-person PWC can pull tubers, skiers, etc.

* One life jacket or PFD is required for each person on board. Michigan law requires all children under 6 years of age to wear a USCG–approved Type I or II PFD when riding on the open deck of any vessel while underway.

* A throwable PFD (ring, cushion) is required on any boat 16' or longer.

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Boat Light Requirements:

Boats under way between sunset and sunrise must display a green bow light on the starboard (right) and red bow light on the port (left), as well as an “all around” (visible from 360 degrees) white light on the stern. Boats at anchor must display one all around white light visible to any approaching crafts. Rowboats or paddleboats must have an all around white light ready to display in time to prevent collision.  The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of your vessel.

Registering Your Vessel:

You must have a Michigan Certificate of Number (registration) and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on public waters in Michigan.

The only exceptions are:

  • Privately owned rowboats 16 feet or less in length

  • Privately owned non-motorized canoes or kayaks

  • Vessels registered in another state or country using Michigan waters for 60 days or less

All watercraft with a motor must be registered including electric and inflatable vessels.

The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to any Secretary of State branch office.

The Certificate of Number (registration card) must be on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is being operated.

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SAMPLE REGISTRATION

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The registration number and validation decals must be displayed as follows.

  • Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow as high above the water line as practical.

  • Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.

  • Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.

  • Number's color must contrast with the color of the background and be distinctly visible and legible.

  • Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: MC 3717 ZW or MC‑3717‑ZW.

  • No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.

  • Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel and placed three inches after the last character of the registration number.

Where To Title & Register:

The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to any Secretary of State branch office. You can find your closest branch office:

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Renewals may be completed in person at any Secretary of State branch office or online.  Registration is good for three (3) years.

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What To Do If You're Involved In A Boating Accident?

The operator or the owner of a vessel involved in a boating accident must file an accident report form supplied by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

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  • The form must be filed within 48 hours if:

    • A person dies within 24 hours of the occurrence or…

    • A person loses consciousness, receives medical treatment, or is disabled for more than 24 hours.

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  • The form must be filed within five days if:

    • Damage to the vessel and other property damage totals more than $2,000 or…

    • A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury.

Pollution Emergencies

Call the Michigan Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) at 1-800-292-4706.

To ensure the enjoyment for future boaters, report riding violations

Call or text 1-800-292-7800

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