Michigan Boating Regulations

Michigan law defines dangerous and reckless operation of a water vessel as any activity that blatantly disregards the safety or rights of others or anything that otherwise endangers other people or property. Examples of dangerous operation include recklessly swerving around or weaving in and out of other water vessels, harassing or otherwise disturbing any wildlife and generally doing anything that causes damage.



Another no-no is failing to regulate your boat's speed. This is defined as going faster than 55 mph within 1 mile of a Great Lakes or Lake St. Clair shoreline. Michigan law also specifies that a "slow-no wake speed" must be practiced if any person is not properly seated. Slow-no wake speed is defined as the slowest speed that you can still steer your boat without creating a wake. Michigan boating regulations also require all boats to maintain a proper distance from other vessels and structures at all times.



It is also important to maintain proper direction. Michigan regulations state your boat must be going in a counterclockwise direction except for rivers or areas that are marked with obvious channels. When in doubt, go counterclockwise.



Riding on bow at anything greater than the slow-no wake speed is against the law unless your boat is properly fitted with bow seating. Riding on the gunwale is prohibited at all times. Passengers are also prohibited from sitting, standing, walking or otherwise occupying any part of your boat that is not accommodated with proper seating.

Michigan requires a Type I or Type II life jacket or other personal flotation device (PFD) to be worn by children under 6 years old while in the open deck area of your boat. Any person 12 years of age or older must wear a Type I, Type II or Type III PFD at any time they are operating, riding in or being towed behind a personal watercraft device.



Any boat or other water vessel under 16 feet must also be equipped with at least one Type I, II, III or IV PFD for each person. If your vessel is 16 feet or longer, you are required to carry at least one Type IV PFD for each person on board as well as at least one Type I, II or III PFD for each person. Note that canoes and kayaks longer than 16 feet are not required to carry the additional Type IV PFD for each passenger. All PFDs have to be easily accessible and not enclosed in a bag or other container.



What's the difference between the different types of PFDs? Type I is an offshore life jacket with 22 lbs. buoyancy, Type II is a near-shore buoyant vest with 15.5 lbs. buoyancy, Type III is a flotation aid with 15.5 lbs. buoyancy and Type IV is a device you can throw to someone in need.

Just by operating a boat or other vessel in Michigan waters, you automatically consent to be tested for alcohol or other drug use should you be arrested. So it's important to know the regulations concerning drugs and alcohol consumption.



It is against Michigan law to operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. "Under the influence" is defined as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .10 percent or higher, determined by breath, blood or urine testing. If a law enforcement officer finds your BAC to be higher than .07 percent but less than .10 percent, you can still be charged if the officer catches you doing something dangerous.



Anyone arrested for boating under the influence can be found guilty of a misdemeanor. If you are arrested three times within a 10-year period, you will be charged with a felony. A felony is also charged to anyone under the influence who causes another person a great deal of bodily injury or death.