Michigan State Specific Laws

Important Note: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages all boaters to take a safety class, no matter how old they are.

Michigan boaters must be at least 12 years of age, or turn 12 during the current boating season, to receive their boater safety certificate. Michigan residents under 16 years of age are required to pass a classroom boating safety course to obtain a boater safety certificate. However, a Michigan boater who is at least 16 years of age may take a NASBLA (National Association of Boating Law Administrators) approved on-line boating safety course instead of attending a classroom program. PWCSafetySchool.com is an approved NASBLA course. Michigan boaters must still take a proctored exam to be issued a valid Michigan boater certificate. Take your PWCSafetySchool.com certificate to present prior to taking the exam. Call (517) 373-0206 for more information.

Persons at least 14 years of age, as well as persons born after December 31, 1978, are required to have a valid boater safety certificate in their possession while operating a PWC. (Current state law requires that persons 14 through 26 years of age must have a boating safety certificate to operate a personal watercraft on Michigan waters).

For non-residents, Michigan will honor any NASBLA approved boater safety course certificate issued by another state. Michigan does not accept a PWCSafetySchool.com certificate issued for another state. operators are required to obey laws that regulate a vessel's registration, titling and operation.

Who May Operate a PWC in Michigan?

No person who is less than 12 years of age may legally operate a personal watercraft.

Anyone 12 or 13 years of age may operate a PWC if ALL of the following requirements are met:

1. He or she is accompanied solely by a parent or legal guardian.

2. Both the person and the parent or legal guardian have passed and received a boating safety certificate, and have it onboard.

3. The PWC is equipped with a lanyard safety ignition shut off switch. The lanyard will be connected from the switch to the wrist, clothing, or PFD of the parent or legal guardian.

4. The PWC is factory designed and manufactured to carry two people.

Operators 14 years of age or older:

1. Any person born after December 31, 1978, may operate a Personal Watercraft if he or she has obtained a Michigan boating safety certificate.

2. Those persons born December 31, 1978, or before may operate a Personal Watercraft without restrictions.

1. Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs)

1. All vessels must be equipped with a personal flotation device for each person onboard:

• The United States Coast Guard (USCG) requires that all vessels have at least one Type I, II or III personal floatation device that is USCG-approved, wearable and of proper size for each person onboard. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.

• Michigan's PFD law permits a vessel that is less than 16 feet long, a canoe or kayak, to choose either a wearable PFD (Type I, II or III) or a throwable PFD (type IV) for each person on board.

2. One Type IV USCG-approved PFD must be onboard vessels 16 feet or longer and readily accessible in addition to the above requirements.

3. 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 a vessel.

4. Each person riding on or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear a Type I, II or III personal floatation device. Inflatable PFDs are not allowed on PWC.

5. All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and must be readily accessible.

2. Sound Producing Devices

In situations of reduced visibility or whenever the operator of a boat needs to signal his or her position or pending maneuver, a sound-producing device, horn, bell, etc. is essential.

3. Visual Distress Signals

Visual Distress Signals (VDSs) allow vessel operators to signal another vessel or person for help in the event of an emergency onboard. VDSs are classified as day signals, flags, orange smoke etc. (visible in bright sunlight), night signals, flares etc. (visible at night) or both day and night signaling devices.

1. All vessels used on federally controlled waters, such as the Great Lakes, must be equipped with USGC-approved (day and night) visual distress signals.

2. All vessels on federal waters are required to carry night signals when operating between sunset and sunrise. In addition, the following vessels must also carry day signals:

• Recreational vessels 16 feet or longer

• Non-motorized vessels and open sailboats 26 feet or longer

1. If pyrotechnic VDSs are used, a minimum of three must be carried in the vessel. Pyrotechnic VDS must be USGC-approved, in serviceable condition, and readily accessible.

4. Federally Controlled Waters

Boats must observe federal requirements when operating on:

• Coastal waters

• The Great Lakes

• Territorial seas

• Waters which are two miles wide or wider and directly connected to one of the above.

5. PWC Requirements

1. Each person operating, riding or being towed behind a PWC must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, or III PFD. Inflatable PFDs may not be used by a person of any age.

2. It's illegal to allow a child under 7 years of age to ride on or be towed behind a PWC, unless with a parent or guardian or designee of a parent or guardian.

3. The lanyard of a PWC's ignition safety switch must be attached to the person, clothing or PFD of the operator.

4. It is illegal to operate a PWC between one hour before sunset and 8 a.m.

6. PWC - Steering and Stopping

Although a PWC is considered an inboard vessel and comes under the same rules and requirements of any other vessel, there are specific requirements for the PWC operator.

1. Most PWC have a steering nozzle at the back of the unit. It is controlled by a handle bar or steering wheel that directs the stream of water from right to left. When the steering control is turned right, the steering nozzle is turned right. The force of the water stream leaving the nozzle then pushes the back of the vessel to the left, which causes the PWC to turn right.

2. Always have power in order to maintain control. If you allow the engine to return to idle or shut off during operation, you lose all steering control. The PWC will continue in the direction it was headed before the engine was shut off, no matter which way the steering control is turned. Some newer PWC models have limited off-throttle steering capabilities. Consult the owner's manual for more information.

3. Always allow plenty of room for stopping. Just because you release the throttle or shut off the engine does not mean the PWC will stop immediately.

7. PWC - Ignition and Safety Switches

1. All PWC come equipped with an emergency ignition safety switch, which is designed to shut the engine down if the operator is thrown from the proper operating position.

2. The ignition safety switch works by attaching the lanyard between the operator and the switch. If the lanyard is removed from the switch, then the engine will shut off.

3. If the PWC does not come equipped with ignition safety switch, the owner should have one installed.

4. It is illegal to ride a PWC without attaching the lanyard properly between the switch and the operator.

8. Procedure for Reboarding Your Capsized PWC

After the operator falls the PWC could completely capsize. When this occurs the operator should follow these procedures.

1. Most manufacturers have placed a decal on the rear (stern) of the craft indicating the proper direction to roll the PWC over to an upright position. If no decal exists, check the owner's manual before you leave the shore or ask an authorized PWC dealer or repair facility.

2. Roll the PWC over following the directions, and re-board the PWC from the rear of the craft. Rolling the PWC over the wrong way could cause serious damage. Practice reboarding in shallow water, close to shore, with someone else available to assist.

3. Reboarding, or re-righting a capsized PWC, might be difficult if you ride when you are tired.

4. Refrain from riding where there are strong currents or winds, reboarding, or re-righting a PWC, could be difficult in these conditions.

9. Operational Recommendations

1. Vary the location or area, where you operate your PWC. Avoid performing a repetitious operation or maneuver during your ride.

2. Avoid congregating with other PWC operators close to shore. It can increase annoying noise levels by the number of PWC's present.

3. Avoid continually operating your PWC in close proximity to the launch ramp area. This area is congested with boats launching and pulling out. Use another location for your riding fun.

4. Avoid making excessive noise near residential and camping areas, particularly early in the morning when some people may still be sleeping. Operating your PWC in one area can be an irritant to some people who came to enjoy a quiet and relaxing time.

5. Avoid maneuvers that cause the engine exhaust to lift out of the water; this will increase the noise produced from the PWC.

6. Do not modify the engine exhaust system of the PWC if the result is more noise. Modified exhausts will not make the PWC go faster and may raise the noise to an illegal level and may void the manufacture's warrantee.

10. Environmental Considerations When Operating Your PWC

1. When operating a PWC always be aware and considerate of the effect the PWC may have on the environment.

2. Do not run a PWC in shallow water (less than 24 inches deep). The jet pump of the PWC can stir up Bottom sediments and aquatic vegetation. They can be sucked into the jet pump intake and damage the engine and internal pump parts, and the environment.

3. Avoid creating a wake near the shore of lakes or rivers. This can cause shore erosion.

4. Do not beach or operate the PWC in areas where there are reeds and grasses. This could damage fragile environments. It can also clog and overheat the PWC engine and pump unit.

5. Take extra care when fueling the PWC in or near the water. Never overfill or "top off" the fuel tank. Oil and gasoline spilling on shore or in the water are very detrimental to the shore and aquatic environment. Fuel on land if possible.

6. Frequently inspect the PWC's electrical systems (e.g., starter and engine gauge connections) to ensure there are no loose connections or bare wires that could cause an electrical spark or short. Gas fumes can collect in the engine compartment from fueling or a loose fuel line. This condition occurring in the area of an electrical spark may result in an explosion. After fueling, or before launching sniff the engine compartment for any evidence of gas fumes.

7. Every operator and passenger should know how to swim.

8. Keep hands, feet and hair away from the pump intake. When cleaning debris away from the pump intake, always shut the engine off.

9. Operators and passengers should know their limits and their abilities, and ride accordingly.

10. Never exceed the manufacture load limit as specified on the PWC Capacity plate.

11. Sharing The PWC

Sharing the fun of a PWC with friends and family is all part of the boating experience. However, the owner should always make sure that anyone operating a PWC understands their responsibilities. They have the same responsibilities as any other vessel operator. Before allowing anyone to operate a PWC:

1. Make sure they meet the minimum age and education requirements for PWC operation.

2. Make sure they know basic boating safety information and "rules of the road".

3. Let beginners take their first rides in an area where there are few boats and swimmers. While still on shore, show them proper procedures for deep water starting and reboarding.

4. Explain the basic operating features of the PWC. Be sure to give instruction on how to steer and control the PWC. Remind the operator that power is required for steering control.

5. Make sure the operator understands how to use a lanyard with the ignition safety switch.

6. Explain the importance of obeying slow-no wake restrictions.

7. Emphasize the need for staying alert. Beginning riders may concentrate on riding and not on paying attention to the surrounding traffic in the area.

12. Towing Skiers

Vessel operators towing person(s) on water skis or a similar device have additional laws they must follow.

1. Every boat towing a person(s) on water skis, surfboard, tube, wakeboard, or similar device must have, in addition to the vessel operator, a person who is observing the towed person(s) at all times.

2. It is illegal to tow skiers, surfboards or any device of this type between:

• One hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise if the towing vehicle is a vessel.

• One hour before sunset and 8 a.m. if the towing vehicle is a PWC.

3. Persons being towed must stay at least 100 feet away from:

• Any moored or anchored vessel

• Any dock or raft

• Any marked swimming area or person(s) swimming or floating in the water.

4. Those persons being towed behind a PWC must wear a USCG-approved personal floation device Type I, II or III.

   Those under 12 years of age must wear a Type I or II PFD. Inflatable PFDs may not be used.

13. Unlawful and Dangerous Operation

Operators of Personal watercraft must operate the PWC in a safe and responsible manner at all times.

Michigan law designates these dangerous operating practices as illegal:

1. Jumping a wake, produced by another vessel, unnecessarily close to any vessel. Your visibility around the vessel making the wake may be blocked, both for the PWC operator and any traffic passing behind or in front of the vessel.

2. Weaving or snaking your PWC through congested vessel traffic.

3. Turning your PWC sharp at the last possible moment to avoid collision with another vessel.

4. Any PWC, crossing within 150 feet behind another vessel, must operate at slow-no wake speed, unless the other vessel is a Personal Watercraft.

5. It's illegal operate a PWC within 200 feet shore on the Great Lakes, unless you are traveling perpendicular to the shoreline at a slow-no wake speed.

6. It is illegal to harass wildlife or disturb aquatic vegetation with your PWC.

7. It's illegal to operate a PWC in less than 2 feet of water unless you operate your PWC at a slow-no wake, you are in the process of docking or launching the PWC. Operating a vessel, at speeds, that may cause a danger to the life of a person(s) or property, or at a rate of speed that will prohibit the operator from bringing the boat to a safe stop. It is illegal to operate a vessel under the following conditions:

1. In excess of 55 mph closer than one mile to shore on the Great Lakes or Lake St. Clair.

2. Operating a boat at a speed greater than slow-no-wake, if any person is on the bow of a vessel and not seated in a designated seat.

3. At a speed faster than reasonable and prudent under the conditions encountered, such as windy weather or congested vessel traffic.

Improper Distance is operating at a speed greater than "slow-no-wake" (except in channels, which are not posted) or when the vessel or, a vessel towing person(s), is within 100 feet of:

1. Any moored vessel or vessel on anchor

2. The shoreline of any body of water in Michigan, if the depth of the water is less than 3 feet.

3. Any dock or raft

4. Any designated swimming area.

5. Any person or persons swimming or floating in the water.

If operating at greater than slow-no-wake speed, PWCs must stay at least 200 feet offshore on the Great Lakes, and shall not cross within 150 feet of the stern of another vessel, unless the other vessel is a PWC.

Improper Direction is defined in Michigan law, as the failure to operate a vessel or PWC in a counter-clockwise direction, except in areas where the channels or rivers are marked and well-defined.

Boating in a Restricted Area is defined in Michigan State Boating law as operating within a restricted area that is clearly marked using buoys, beacons or S.C.U.B.A diver down flags.

Persons are not allowed to ride seated on the gunwale or edge of the vessel. While the vessel is underway, no person or persons shall sit, stand or walk on any portion of a vessel which not designed for that specific purpose.

14. Alcohol and Drugs

Michigan law prohibits anyone from operating any vessel in Michigan waters, while they are under the influence of alcohol and or drugs. It is also illegal for the owner of any vessel or PWC to allow anyone, who is under the influence of alcohol and or drugs, to operate their vessel.

The following are conditions that determine if you are boating while under the influence of alcohol:

1. If the operator's blood-alcohol concentration is 0.10 percent or greater by weight of alcohol, as determined by a test of breath, blood or urine.

2. If the operator's blood alcohol concentration is greater than 0.07 percent but less than 0.10 percent by weight of alcohol as determined by a test of breath, blood or urine, a Michigan law enforcement officer can use that information, along with other evidence, in determining if you are under the influence of alcohol.

15. Obstructing Navigation

It is illegal to:

1. Anchor any vessel in such a position or manner, in the traveled portion of a river or channel, that prevents or interferes with the movement of vessels through the same portion of a river or channel.

2. Moor, attach, or tie any vessel to any buoy, beacon, light or any navigational aid placed on public waters by proper State and Federal or Local authorities. Also, it is illegal to move, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy any navigational aid.

3. Obstruct any pier, wharf, boat ramp or other access to any facility.

16. Accidents and Casualties

The operator of a vessel, or each person onboard, must report, by the quickest means available, to the nearest State conservation officer, sheriff of the county, or nearest state police post, without delay, any boating accident, when a person dies or a person disappears from a vessel.

The operator or owner of a vessel must file a Michigan Department of Natural Resources' accident report form, within 48 hours if:

1. A person dies within 24 hours of the occurrence

2. A person loses consciousness, receives professional medical treatment, is disabled in excess of 24 hours, or dies within 24 hours of the accident.

The operator or owner of a vessel must file a Michigan Department of Natural Resources accident report form within 5 days if:

1. There is damage to the vessel and other property damage that totals more than $2,000.00.

2. If a person disappears from the vessel under circumstance that indicate death or injury.

3. The operator of any vessel involved in an accident must stop and render any necessary assistance to any person involved in a boating accident on Michigan waters, unless this action would endanger their vessel, or persons onboard their vessel.

4. If involved in a boating accident, the operator of the vessel involved must give their name, address, and Certificate of Number information on their vessel, in writing to any injured person and to the owner of any damaged property or damaged vessel.

17. Q. The Environment

Aquatic nuisance species, like zebra mussels and Eurasian water milfoil, are most often spread between waterways by hitching a ride on boats and trailers. When moved into new waters, these species rapidly multiply, damaging the water resource. Prevent the spreading of nuisance species.

1. Inspect the vessel and trailer, removing any nuisance species (zebra mussels and Eurasian water milfoil) before leaving the waterway.

2. Drain the motor, live well, and bilge on land before leaving the waterway.

3. Empty a bait bucket on land. Never release live bait into a water way or release aquatic animals from one waterway into another.

4. Rinse the vessel, trailer and equipment.

5. Air-dry the vessel and equipment for as long as possible.

6. Kill attached zebra mussels by pulling boats out of the water to dry for minimum of 10-14 days.

7. Flush the engine's cooling system with hot water.

8. Apply antifouling materials such as paint and films to vessel hulls, trim tabs, water ports, transducers and swimming platforms to discourage zebra mussels' attachment.

18. Waste Handling Facilities

For information on pumpout and dump station locations, call 1-800-ASK-FISH.

Michigan has approximately 280 marina-provided pumpout stations, which are widely available to recreational boaters. The 280 pumpouts serve 32,000 boats with Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs) kept at Great Lakes coastal locations in Michigan including 9,000 boats not kept at marinas.

19. Vessel Registration

Operators must have a Michigan Certificate or Number (registration) and a milidation decal to legally operate a vessel on Michigan's public waters. The only exceptions are:

1. A non-motorized canoe, kayak or rowboat, which is privately owned that is less than 16 feet long.

2. Vessels with valid certificate of registration, from another state or country, that is temporarily on Michigan waters.

3. The Certificate of Number (registration card) must be onboard and available for inspection by any Michigan enforcement officer whenever the vessel is being operated on Michigan waters.

4. The Certificate of registration and validation decals are obtained by submitting an application and fee to any branch office of Secretary of State.

The registration number with the validation decal must be displayed in the following manner:

1. The registration number must be painted on, decal, or otherwise attached to both sides of the bow, as far above the water line as practical.

2. It shall be in 3" high or larger block letters, and shall read from left to right on both sides of the bow.

3. They must be in a color that contrasts with its background.

4. A space or a hyphen must separate the letters from the numbers.

5. No other numbers or letters can be displayed on either side of the bow.

6. The valid Michigan Decal must be affixed on both sides of the bow of the vessel, three inches following the last character of the registration number.

7. If the Certificate of Number or the valid decal is lost or stolen or destroyed, the boat owner must apply to the Secretary of State for a duplicate and submit a processing fee.

8. A vessel registered in another state, may operate for a period of 60 days on Michigan waters before you must re-register and obtain a Michigan Certificate of Registration and numbers.

9. A vessel owner must surrender their Certificate of Number, within 15 days, and make notification to the Secretary of State if:

10. He abandons or destroys his vessel

11. The owner sells or transfers ownership of the vessel

12. The owner changes his/her address

The Certificate of Number and validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to any Secretary of State branch office. Call: (517) 322-1460 or go to www.michigan.gov/sos (the Michigan Secretary of State web site) for more information.

20. Hull Identification Numbers

All vessels manufactured for sale must have a manufacturer's serial number or Hull Identification Number (HIN). It is unique to the vessel. HINs are typically engraved in the fiberglass or on a small metal plate attached to the transom. Boat owners should record HIN number and put it in a place away from the vessel. It can be useful if warranty problems arise or if the vessel is lost or stolen.

21. Legal Requirements for Trailers

1. Trailers must be licensed and registered.

2. If the gross weight of the vessel and trailer exceeds 3,000 lbs., the trailer must be equipped with brakes.

3. Trailers must have proper lighting, including turn signals as well as tail and brake lights. All trailer lights must be maintained in an operable condition, same as when the trailer was manufactured.

4. All towing vehicles must be connected to the trailer by a safety chain or cable of sufficient strength to maintain connection under all conditions.