Safety
Summary of Michigan Boating Laws by Michigan Lake & Stream Associations Inc.
(visit their website)
I. Speed Limits
1. Slow - no wake* speed within 100 feet of the shoreline, any watercraft, pier, person, raft, swimming area, and swimmers.
2. Maximum speed 55 mph in all water unless otherwise regulated.
3. Michigan law states that a person operating a vessel shall operate it in a careful and prudent manner and at such a rate of speed so as not to endanger unreasonably the life or property of any person. A person shall not operate a vessel at a rate of speed greater than will permit him, in the exercise of reasonable care, to bring the vessel to stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
4. A person shall not operate a vessel in a manner so as to interfere unreasonably with the lawful use by others of the water.
*SLOW - NO WAKE means a very slow speed whereby the wake or wash created by the vessel would be minimal.
II. Towing of Persons
1. No water skiing between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour prior to sunrise.
2. At least 1 competent person, in addition to the driver, shall be in any boat towing persons on water skis, sleds, etc. This additional person shall be in a position to observe the progress of the person being towed.
3. Tow boat must be equipped with a 170 degree wide angle rear view mirror affixed to permit the driver to observe the progress of the person being towed.
III. Distance Between Persons Being Towed and other Objects
Vessels and persons being towed on water skis, waters sleds, etc. shall maintain a distance of 100 feet from any dock, raft, buoyed or occupied bathing areas, or vessels moored or at anchor, except when the vessel is proceeding at a slow - no wake speed or when waters skiers are bring picked up or dropped off (See special rules for personal watercraft).
IV. Noise Level of Boats
Motorboats are required to have mufflers or an underwater exhaust system such that it does not produce sound levels in excess of 90 dB(A) when subjected to a stationary (neutral) sound level test of its engine(s) at no closer than one meter (3.3 feet).
V. Counter-Clockwise Operations
Persons operating vessels shall operate in a counter-clockwise fashion insofar as it is reasonably possible.
VI. Children Operating Motorboats
1. Persons under 12 years old operating motorboats:
Must be under the direct supervision of a person 16 years of age or older; and, the boat must have no more than 35 HP.
2. Persons 12 through 15 years may operate motorboats if either condition below is met:
Accompanied by at least 1 person 16 years or older; or,
The person has a boating safety certificate.
3. Any person may operate a motorboat that is powered by no more than 6 HP.
4. Personal watercraft (jet ski) shall not be operated by anyone under 12 years of age.
VII. Liquor and/or Controlled Substance
1. A person who is intoxicated (as defined in the same way as for driving a car) may not operate or be in control of any vessel. The Michigan implied consent law applies for boat operator intoxication testing.
The penalty for conviction of driving a vessel while intoxicated shall include impoundment of the vessel and suspension of the privilege to operate a vessel for a period of time designated by a court of law.
2. The same goes for controlled substances (drugs).
VIII. Operation of Vessels
1. Sailboats have the right-of-way to motorboats while they are under sail power.
2. Motorboats shall give way to non-motorized vessels.
3. When 2 vessels are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, the operator of each shall cause his vessel to pass on the port (left) side of the other (i.e. keep the approaching boat on your left).
4. When overtaking a vessel proceeding in the same direction, the operator of the overtaking vessel, unless it is not feasible to so do, shall pass on the port (left) side of the vessel ahead (i.e. keep the overtaken boat to your right).
5. When 2 vessels are approaching each other at right angles or obliquely so as to involve risk of collision. the operator of the vessel which has the other on his own port (left) side shall hold his course to give way to the other by directing his course to starboard so as to cross the stern of the other vessel or, if necessary to do so, shall slacken his speed, stop or reverse.
IX. Responsibility for Vessel Wake
The owner of any vessel is personally responsible for any damage to life or property resulting from a wake or swell created by the negligent operation of the vessel, where the vessel is being operated with his consent.
X. Divers/Distance from Diver's Flag
A vessel shall not be operated within 200 feet of a buoyed diver's flag unless it is involved in tendering the diving operation. A person diving shall stay within a surface area of 100 feet of a diver's flag.
XI. Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski) Special Regulations
1. A person shall maintain a distance of 100 ft. from any dock, boat, raft, buoyed or occupied bathing area while driving at other than slow- no wake speed.
2. A person shall not cross within 150 ft. behind another vessel other than a personal watercraft, that is moving at greater than a slow - no wake speed.
3. A person shall not operate a personal watercraft between sunset and sunrise. Lights make no difference.
4. Maneuvers that endanger life, limb, or property, including weaving through congested traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to the other vessel or when visibility around the other vessel is obstructed, and swerving at the last possible moment to avoid a collision constitute reckless operation of a vessel.
5. Carrying more persons than the vessel is designed to carry is prima facie evidence of reckless operation.
6. Lanyards must be attached to the operator on vessels that are equipped with lanyards.
7. Personal watercraft shall not be operated by anyone under 12 years of age.
8. Direct adult supervision or a boating safety certificate is required for personal watercraft operators 12 to 16 years of age.
9. Owners or the person in charge shall not authorize or knowingly permit the watercraft to be operated in violation of numbers 7 or 8 above.
10. Persons operating or riding on or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear an approved personal flotation device (Type I, Type II, or Type III).
11. Performers engaged in a professional exhibition or a person preparing to participate in a regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition held in compliance with this act are exempted. |
