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Boating Operation Restrictions
Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Who May Operate a Boat and Who May Operate a PWC
Who May Operate a Boat
Those less than 12 years of age:
-
May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more
than 6 horsepower (hp) legally without restrictions.
-
May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6
hp but no more than 35 hp legally only if
they are directly supervised on board by a person at
least 16 years of age.
-
May not operate a boat powered by a motor of more
than 35 hp legally under any conditions.
Those 12 to 15 years of age:
Those 16 years of age or older may
operate any boat on the waters of Michigan.
Note:
See Who May Operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC) below.
Who May Operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Those less than 12 years of age may NOT
operate a PWC legally.
Those 12 and 13 years of age may operate
a PWC legally only if:
-
They obtained a boating safety certificate prior to
January 1, 1999, or ...
-
All
of the following conditions are
satisfied.
-
The operator is accompanied solely by his or her
parent or legal guardian
and ...
-
Both the operator and the parent or legal
guardian have obtained a boating safety certificate
and ...
-
The PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type ignition
safety switch and the parent or legal guardian has
the lanyard attached to his or her person, clothing,
or PFD and ...
-
The PWC is designed to carry at least two
persons.
Those 14 years of age or older:
-
And born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC
legally only if they have obtained a
boating safety certificate.
-
And born on or before December 31, 1978, may operate
a PWC legally without restrictions.
| Boating Safety Certificate
A
vessel operator who is required to have passed a
boating safety course should carry this certificate
on board. |
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