WATER SAFETY The PLHA is very concerned with Water Safety. We want all residents and  visitors to enjoy all that the lake has to offer in the way of outdoor water sports in a safe manner that does not endanger others or peoples property.  The Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities states; 1. It is ILLEGALto operate a vessel in excess of 55 MPH UNLESS on the Great Lakes and at least 1 mile from shore. 2. Power operated vessels when traveling faster than SLOW NO WAKE SPEED must stay a MININUM of 100 feet from the shoreline, all moored or anchored vessels, a dock or raft, and any marked swimming area or persons in the water. This includes all persons being towed by a PWC or boat. 3. Michigan law REQUIRES all vessels to have a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) that is USCG approved on board for each person riding in the vessel. They may be Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3. Children under six years of age are REQUIRED BY LAW to wear a USCG approved Type 1 or 2 PFD while in a vessel. All vessels 16 feet or longer must also have a Type 4 USCG approved PFD on board. (Throwable Device)  4. All persons riding on or being towed by a personal water craft MUST wear a Type 1, 2, or 3 USCG approved PFD. Persons under 12 years of age must wear a Type 1 or 2 PFD. Inflatable PFDs are not allowed on PWC’s. All PFD’s must be in good and serviceable condition and must be readily accessible.  5. Persons 14 years of age or older may operate a PWC IF they have passed an approved boating safety class and MUST carry their boating safety certificate on their person when operating a PWC. All persons born after December 31, 1978 must have a boating safety certificate to operate a PWC and carry it while operating the PWC. . 6. If towing anyone behind a boat or PWC on water skiis or similar device the vessel  must have an operator and OBSERVER on board to monitor the person(s) being  towed. 7. PWC’s may be operated from 8AM until one hour before sunset.  Personal Flotation Device descriptions; Type 1 Offshore Life Jacket Type 2 Near Shore Vest Type 3 Flotation Aid (Water Ski Jacket) Type 4 Throwable Device (Cushion or Ring Buoy)