 Photo Courtesty of the Detroit Free Press Tips
- Always wear a life jacket.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Be especially careful on personal watercrafts.
- Children younger than age 13 must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket while underway.
- Enroll in a boater education class.
- Don’t overload your boat.
- Operate at a safe speed.
- Always have a passenger serve as a lookout in addition to the operator.
- Watch out for low water areas or submerged objects.
Always Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or Life Jacket
- Most boating fatality victims were found (recovered) NOT wearing a PFD.
- Always carry extra PFD’s in both adult and child sizes.
- Children younger than 13 years old must wear a PFD while underway.
Avoid Alcohol
- The probability of being killed in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved.
- Operating a boat under the influence is even more dangerous than driving a car after you’ve been drinking.
- Operating while intoxicated on boat is strictly enforced and carries
penalties similar to operating a car while intoxicated penalties, including
possible Driver’s License suspension.
Enroll in a Boater Education Course — Regarless of Age
- It’s a good idea for the whole family to enroll in a boater education course.
- A majority (52%) vessels involved in boating accidents are operated by persons 26-50 years of age.
- For information on boating or other recreational safety classes contact your local Michigan Sheriff's Office, Sheriff's Office Deputy or go to the Michigan DNR website to find a class near you!
Be Especially Careful On Personal Watercraft (PWC)
- PWC operators and passengers must wear a life jacket.
- Before you borrow or rent a PWC, take the time to learn how to operate the vessel and the rules of the waterway.
- Obey the 100-foot rule! Maintain a 100-foot distance from other
PWC’s, vessels, persons, shore, or stationary platform or other object
unless operating at headway (idle) speed.
Operate at a Safe Speed
- Some Michigan lakes and rivers have speed limits as well as regulations about when high-speed boating can occur. Citations may be issued for excessive speed or reckless operation by your local Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol. Use
common sense, and operate at a safe speed at all times — especially in
crowded areas.
- Excessive speed is a rate of speed greater than is reasonable or
prudent without regard for conditions and hazards or greater than will
permit a person to bring the boat to a stop within the assured clear
distance ahead.
Michigan Boating Regulations and Laws
This Michigan Department of Natural Resources website has made available online the Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities that providing information on Boating Basics such as: vessel length and capacity,
fueling, float plans, navigational rules, U.S. Aids to Navigation,
weather and other boating emergencies, and personal watercraft
(PWC) basics. The Handbook also includes important "It's the Law" information such as: registration information,
registration fees, display of numbers, legal operating age,
required equipment, unlawful operation, boating while intoxicated,
reporting accidents, enforcement, environmental restrictions,
and laws governing PWCs and vessels towing skiers.
Click here to read the Handbook!
The particular lake or river where you are boating in Michigan may have specific regulations so be sure to contact your local Michigan Sheriff's Office or your local Michigan Sheriff's Office Deputy for more information!
Maps of Michigan's Inland Lakes
Michigan boasts more than 11,000 inland lakes. Now you can access 2,700 of the most popular inland lake maps On-Line!
Click here for a map of counties with lake maps available.
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