This information is not intended to provide you with everything you may need to know as a personal watercraft operator. This is only a summary of the personal watercraft laws. Please contact the Michigan DNR or your local Sheriff Department for information concerning upcoming boating safety courses.

Registration Requirement

• The owner of a personal watercraft shall file an application with the secretary of state for a registration number and decal.
• The registration must be carried and displayed upon a peace officer’s request.
• If the personal watercraft is purchased from a dealer, a 15-day temporary permit may be issued.
• The permit shall not be renewed or extended.
• The owner of the personal watercraft shall permanently paint or attach the registration numbers in block letters on each side of the forward half of the vessel.
• The numbers must be as high above the waterline as practical.
• The registration decal is valid for a three-year period that begins on April 1 and expires March 31 of the third year.

Equipment Requirement

• Each person on board the personal watercraft must wear a personal flotation device that is not an inflatable.
• Each person 12 years of age or older, riding or being towed, must wear a type I, type II or type III personal flotation device.
• Each person less than 12 years of age, riding or being towed, must wear a type I or type II personal flotation device.
• A lanyard-type engine cutoff switch must be attached to the person, clothing or personal flotation device. The manufacturer must equip the lanyard for the engine.
• Each personal watercraft must be equipped with one B1 type fire extinguisher.

Age Requirement

• A person shall not operate a personal watercraft if a child under 7 years of age is on board or towed unless with a parent or guardian or designee of parent or guardian.
• A person under the age of 14 shall not operate a personal watercraft in this state.
• A person who is 12 but less than 14 may operate a personal watercraft if he or she obtained a boating safety certificate before January 1, 1999.
• Persons born after December 31, 1978 shall not operate a personal watercraft unless they obtain a boating safety certificate.
• The operators of a personal watercraft must carry their boating safety certificate and display it upon the demand of a peace officer.

Out of State Residence Requirement

Beginning March 31, 2000, persons who are not residents of this state shall only operate a personal watercraft if they possess one of the following:

• A boating safety certificate.
• A certificate from their state that is substantially similar to the education and training for Michigan.
• A certificate from a course approved by the national association of state boating law administrators education committee that shows completion of a boating or personal watercraft course.

Prohibited Operation

• A person shall not operate a personal watercraft during the period that begins 1 hour before sunset and ends at 8 a.m.
• A person operating a personal watercraft shall not cross within 150 feet behind another vessel, other than a personal watercraft, unless the personal watercraft is operating at a slow-no wake speed.
• A person shall not operate a personal watercraft where the water depth is less than 2 feet, unless 1 of the following exists:
• The personal watercraft is being operated at a slow-no wake speed.
• The personal watercraft is being docked or launched.
• A person shall not weave through congested vessel traffic while operating a personal watercraft.
• A person operating a personal watercraft shall not wait until the last possible moment to avoid a collision.
• A person shall not operate a personal watercraft while carrying more persons than the personal watercraft is designed to carry.
• A person operating a personal watercraft shall not disregard the rights or safety of others, nor operate a personal watercraft at a rate of speed or in a manner that endangers a person or property.
• Unless traveling at slow-no wake speed perpendicular to the shoreline, a person who operates a personal watercraft on 1 of the Great Lakes shall maintain a distance of 200 feet from the shoreline.
• Unless operating in a navigable channel, canal, river or stream, a person who operates a personal watercraft or a person that is being towed by a personal watercraft shall not operate within 100 feet of:
• A dock or raft.
• A buoyed or occupied bathing or swimming area.
• A person in the water or on the water in a personal flotation device.
• An anchored or moored vessel.
• A vessel that is drifting or sitting dead in the water.
• A person who operates a personal watercraft or a person being towed by a personal watercraft shall not operate within 200 feet of:
• A submerged diver.
• A vessel engaged in underwater diving activities.
• A flotation device displaying the international diving insignia.

Accidents

A personal watercraft accident involving a vessel or its equipment must be reported as soon as possible to the nearest peace officer if any of the following conditions exist:

• There is a death or disappearance of a person
• A person is injured.
• There is property damage estimated at $100 or more

The law also requires that the operator help other persons affected by the accident, unless it puts his or her vessel and passengers in danger.

The operator of a personal watercraft that is involved in an accident must show his or her registration to any persons injured or to the owner of any damaged property. The operator must also give his or her name, address and vessel identification to the same persons.

Liability of Owner

The owner of a personal watercraft is liable for any injury caused by a negligent operator. It shall be presumed that the personal watercraft is being operated with the knowledge and consent of the owner if it is driven by his or her son, daughter, spouse, father, mother, brother, sister or other immediate member of the owner’s family.

Alcohol

A person shall not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state if either of the following conditions exists:

• The person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance, or both.
• The person has a blood alcohol content of 0.10% or more.

The owner of a personal watercraft, or a person in charge or in control of a personal watercraft, shall not knowingly allow the personal watercraft to be operated by a person if the following conditions exist:

• The person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance, or both.
• The person has a blood alcohol content of 0.10% or more.

Reminder

When the throttle is not engaged, the person operating the personal watercraft is unable to steer. Many accidents and collisions have occurred because the operator was not aware of this. Please refer to your owner’s manual prior to operating your personal watercraft. It is important to familiarize yourself with the operating characteristics of your personal watercraft before you begin.

Optional Equipment

• Wet suit
• Gloves
• Foot protection
• Eye protection
• Whistle

Before You Go

• Do you have enough gas for the entire trip?
• Ride with a friend.
• Tell someone where you are going and what time you plan to return.

Safety Tips

• Always look behind you before you turn.
• Leave machine off until everyone is on board and away from the stern.
• Know the weather conditions before you go and act accordingly.
• Become familiar with the area in which you ride. Know where the hazards are.
• Match your riding style with your ability and conditions.
• Keep hands, feet, hair, clothing, etc. away from the pump intake.

Courtesy To Others

• Use courtesy and common sense when sharing the waterways with other recreational users.
• Respect the peace and quiet of the residents on the water. Do not operate for long periods of time in the same area.
• Do not chase or harass the wildlife.