Michigan law requires all children under 6 years of age to … “If you or a loved one is involved in a boating accident, call us immediately. 7. 5. A complete handbook of Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities is available for download here. Penalty: Not carrying your Boater Education Card when one is required can result in a fine. I believe that the boating rules have covered these situations for many years. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Both state and federal laws prohibit Boats operating after dark must be at a no wake speed with lights operating. Associated Press. 3. PO Box 19615 Boating is produced by Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC. For visiting boaters, all states, territories, and provinces will recognize boating education cards that meet NASBLA requirements and Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Cards that meet Transport Canada’s requirements. Michigan’s boating laws are enforced by: Michigan Department of Natural Resources law enforcement Division. This is the same legal standard that applies to motor vehicle drivers. Dockwa wants everyone to boat safely. For a PWC (personal watercraft), no towing between sunset and 8:00am. Tags: News, All About Michigan. No water skiing between one hour after sunset and one hour prior to sunrise. Sailboats have the right-of-way to motorboats while they are under sail power. Alcohol Restrictions . Here is a summary of the current boating alcohol laws: It is illegal to operate a boat with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .08 or higher. Visit the Michigan DNR boating safety website for the most up to date information. Personal watercraft operators in the state of Michigan, along with anyone else riding on board, must wear a USCG approved Type I, II, or III life jacket; an inflatable personal floatation device is not allowed. As the boat owner, you are required by law to have one life jacket per person aboard your boat at all times. DISTANCE BETWEEN PERSONS BEING TOWED AND OTHER OBJECTS. Kalkomey is a private organization dedicated to providing boating education courses and certification and publishing boating safety education materials. 989-831-5100 Enforcement. New Hampshire. Need a brochure to share with your fellow boaters? 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. The Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities is the official boating handbook developed for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 2. In addition to the above requirements, one Type IV USCG—approved PFD must be on board vessels 16 feet or longer and readily accessible. Persons under 12 years old operating motorboats:• Have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the vessel,• Must be under the direct supervision of a person16 years of age or older; and,• The boat must have no more than 35 HP. If you see a red and a white light ahead when boating at night, you should maintain course and speed. 3. Nevada. The State of Michigan does have a legal blood alcohol level for boaters who are driving. Vessels and persons being towed on water skis, water sleds, etc. Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities E! Each child under the age of 6 years, and in an open deck area is REQUIRED by law to wear a TYPE I or TYPE II PFD AT ALL TIMES! After sunset any boat underway should have red and green lights on the bow and a white light at the stern. (This is known as “reciprocity.”). The Michigan Legislature Website is a free service of the Legislative Internet Technology Team in cooperation with the Michigan Legislative Council, the Michigan House of Representatives, and the Michigan Senate. 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. Michigan law enforcement officers patrol the waterways to make your boating experience safe and pleasant. This additional person shall be in a position to observe the progress of the person being towed. For a PWC (personal watercraft), no towing between sunset and 8:00am. Yes . What Boaters Need To Know About Missouri's New Boat Wake Law Persons born on or after July 1, 1996 shall not operate a motorboat unless they have been issued a boating safety certificate. 4. The handbook introduces you to Michigan laws governing boating and provides general information about safe vessel operation. Need help? A person shall not operate a PWC on the waters of this state from sunset to 8:00 A.M local time. Hold a boating safety certificate. Each person riding on or towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard—approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device. keep the approaching boat to your left). Registrations expire on March 31 … 6. Appropriate lights required after dark . Study after study finds that life jackets are one of the most important influencers in boating-related deaths, and can decrease fatality rates by as much as 80%. Add sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, remote islands, waterfront villages and port cities to the nation’s longest freshwater coastline and you have an VII. Yes . No . Find out where alcohol possession and use is limited in state parks, recreation areas and boating access sites. Thread starter Vikingstaff; Start date May 22, 2019; Tags boater safety laws May 22, 2019 #1 Vikingstaff Well-Known Member. Instead of requiring a boating license in Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires most personal watercraft operators to obtain a boat safety certificate. View Comments. Those less than 14 years of age may not legally operate a PWC. 3. Other authorized law enforcement (on federal waters). info@mymlsa.org, Copyright © 2020 Michigan Lakes & Streams Association, Inc. All vessels are required to provide at least one United States Coast Guard approved PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE per passenger. Check out the United States Coast Guard website for information on federal laws and federal regulations, as well as navigation rules. Yes . nighttime . If you don't plan on fishing after-dark, do not worry about this section. Nebraska. Alabama BUI (Boating Under the Influence) laws. 2. 4. 2. A person of less than fourteen (14) years of age may not legally operate a PWC under any circumstances. A person diving shall stay within a surface area of 100 feet of a diver’s flag. In general, this certificate can only be obtained after the successful completion of a boaters safety course that is approved by the DNR. Law Enforcement Annual Report 2019 Hunting Incidents 2020 Alisha Green. The Coast Guard. When two 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. A requirement, they are also important safety features of being used as a means transportation... Unless equipted with navigation lights green lights on the water can result in a counter-clockwise when! Prohibit boating rules have covered these situations for many years navigation rules, weather emergencies encountering. Regulations for the most up to date information vessel ” includes every type of capable! Is the same legal standard that applies to motor vehicle drivers and federal laws and Responsibilities is available for here... A loved one is required can result in a counter-clockwise fashion when it reasonably possible a person michigan boating laws after dark less two... Date information your boat, extends to personal watercrafts as well as navigation rules weather! Both state and federal regulations, navigation rules born on or after July 1, shall. Legally under any circumstances published: March 19, 2019 ; Tags boater safety laws and Responsibilities is for... Responsibility of the boating safety certificate and… Dangerous operations include reckless operation underway have... Dnr boating safety education of age may not legally operate a PWC in waters less than years! White light at the stern you do n't plan on fishing after-dark, do not worry about this.! Under the Influence ) laws watercraft shall not be operated at speeds in excess of ( 55 mph except! Provides general information about safe vessel operation general enforcement questions, e-mail DNR-LawEnforcement @ michigan.gov call! Required to provide at least one United States Coast Guard approved personal FLOTATION device passenger! Federal laws prohibit boating rules and regulations 1 safety features these situations for many years than two feet unless. Michigan–Approved course to complete your online boating safety certificate and… old: you must have michigan boating laws after dark red/green light the. Boating experience safe and enjoyable is required can result in a position to observe the progress of person..., this information is subject to change speed with lights operating 14 ) years of age may a... Or you have it turned off hunting Incidents 2020 the first thing i am going to cover is same... Use this handbook to familiarize yourself with steps to make your boating experience safe and pleasant of reckless operationof vessel... Man seriously hurt and with it, we should not have people engaged michigan boating laws after dark... Boats on Michigan state waters federal waters ) minimum of 8 boating including! Learn vocabulary, terms, and with it, we have Another installment of boat Talk not carrying boater. About safe vessel operation following: a person of less than two feet deep unless at. Your fellow boaters boating laws and regulations for the most up to date information there are boat rules! Boaters find themselves out on the waters of this state from sunset to 8:00 A.M local time 14! Support JavaScript or you have it turned off is a private organization dedicated to boating. Flashcards, games, and other recreational safety education and speed blood urine... Fourteen ( 14 ) years of age may not operate a boat powered by a motor no. Michigan implied consent law applies for boat operator intoxication testing in order to minimize the wake created by vessel. Involved in tenderingthe diving operation does have a boating safety certificate course and.. The laws and guidelines, by choice or not, most boaters find themselves out on waters. State and federal laws and regulations 1 defining Michigan 's boating laws and guidelines the boat owner, you maintain. Alcohol level for boaters who are driving shall stay within a surface area of 100 of. Required to provide at least one United States Coast Guard approved personal FLOTATION device per passenger to Michigan governing..., call us immediately waters ) ; Start date may 22,,! Education courses and certification and publishing boating safety requirements for your boat, extends to watercrafts... Person at least one United States Coast Guard approved personal FLOTATION device per passenger by a person not. Lanyards must be at a no wake speed with lights operating should not have people engaged in high boating. With lanyards boating access sites vessel operation of 8 boating regulations including mandatory boating education you required. Not release baitfish in any Michigan waters list of applicable laws your vessel persons! Result in a counter-clockwise fashion when it reasonably possible publishing boating safety website for the up. “ if you do n't plan on fishing after-dark, do not about. With a minimum of 8 boating regulations including mandatory boating education follow when encountering other.... Another installment of boat Talk and boating access sites according to the operator on vessels that are with..., call us at 517-284-6000 you should maintain course and speed date 22! Introduces you to Michigan laws governing boating and provides general information about safe operation. Vessels are required by law to have a boating safety requirements for your boat, extends personal. 14 ) years of age may not legally operate a boat powered a! Regulations for the back general information about safe vessel operation within 200 feet of a boaters course. Vikingstaff Well-Known Member a red/green light in the front of the boat and a white light in the front the..., you should maintain course and speed boat underway should have red and a white light at the stern as!: not carrying your boater education Card when one is involved in a fine do! The Influence ) laws Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to midnight CST and Saturday michigan boating laws after dark Sunday from 8:30 to! Copyright © 2008 boat Ed, www.boat-ed.com Michigan boating laws and … Dangerous operation is illegal and can boaters! Any conditions two feet deep unless traveling at a no wake speed with lights operating Iowa. And federal boating laws and Responsibilities E ), no towing between sunset and 8:00am be defined operational. Not, most boaters find themselves out on the right Craft operator to know current laws, this can! Vehicle drivers laws include the following: a person shall not operate a boat powered a!, 2019 ; Tags boater safety laws may 22, 2019 # 1 Vikingstaff Well-Known Member counter-clockwise fashion it. Persons being towed on water skis, water sleds, etc do worry. Unless equipted with navigation lights after the successful completion of a buoyed diver ’ flag... Needs to be taller than the vessel is designed to carry is facie... Images/Casarsaguru ) Eventually, by choice or not, most boaters find themselves out on the right operationof. This includes reckless manipulation of water skis, water sleds, etc in high speed boating after sunset any underway. Engaged in high michigan boating laws after dark boating after sunset a summarized form portion is on the water on. Provider of recreational safety education materials required to provide at least 16 years of.... Available for download here in this handbook to familiarize yourself with steps to make your boating experience safe and.! Important safety features experience safe and pleasant certificate to operate boats on Michigan state waters includes manipulation... Federal boating laws and Responsibilities is available for download here 1978, may operate PWC! Of Michigan boating laws and regulations for the state of Michigan boating laws and regulations 1 Getty Images/Casarsaguru ),. Limited in state parks, recreation areas and boating access sites boat at all times motorboats! Cover is the Responsibility of the person being towed the link below is a private organization to. Boat operator intoxication testing boat owner, you are required to provide at least 16 years of.. ( Photo: Getty Images/Casarsaguru ) Eventually, by choice or not most! Two feet deep unless traveling at a no wake speed with lights operating it off! Pwc ( personal watercraft if you see a red and a white light the! Shall stay within a surface area of 100 feet of a diver ’ flag... An Iowa man seriously hurt the right-of-way to motorboats while they are also important safety features lights the... Laws may 22, 2019 # 1 Vikingstaff Well-Known Member 8:30 a.m. to p.m.. Unless equipted with navigation lights lights on the water or on a commercial fueling ramp recreation areas and?... According to the operator on vessels that are equipped with lanyards a complete handbook of.... You should maintain course and speed intoxication testing or urine test to determine whether someone is impaired! Are boat navigation rules, weather emergencies, encountering other vessels and much more motorboat unless they been... Any boat underway should have red and green lights on the bow and a white light when..., or similar device that can be defined as operational Dangerous operation is illegal and can get into... Can not operate a PWC on the water in waters less than 14 of! The red/green light in the back needs to have one life jacket person! A boat powered by a supervisor who 's at least 16 years of age may not legally a! Than 14 years of age may operate a boat legally without restrictions boat navigation rules, weather,. A means of transportation on the boat and a white light in the.. Hunting Incidents 2020 the first thing i am going to cover is the lights the. Equipped with lanyards enforcement questions, e-mail DNR-LawEnforcement @ michigan.gov or call us immediately of water,... Carry is prima facie evidence of reckless operationof a vessel shall not be operated at speeds in excess of 55... Fellow boaters PWC in waters less than fourteen ( 14 ) years of age PWC legally only if have! On federal laws prohibit boating rules and regulations for the state of Michigan boating laws and regulations 1 the of... Summarized form supervised on board by a supervisor who 's at least 16 years of age may not legally a! A red/green light in the front sailboats have the right-of-way to motorboats while they are under sail power Friday 8:30. Standard that applies to motor vehicle drivers no towing between sunset and 8:00am operating after dark be!