Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Requirements Specific to Personal Watercraft (PWCs)

In addition to adhering to all boating laws, personal watercraft (PWC) operators have requirements specific to their vessel.

• Each person riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III PFD. Inflatable PFDs may not be used.
• You may not allow a child under 7 years of age to ride on or be towed behind a PWC unless with a parent or guardian or a designee of the parent or guardian.
• The lanyard–Short cord used for fastening something or securing rigging; on a PWC and most powerboats, it attaches the ignition safety switch to the operator's wrist or life jacket of a PWC’s ignition safety switch must be attached to the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator. (See Who May Operate a Personal Watercraft.)
• It is illegal to operate a PWC during the period that begins at sunset and ends at 8:00 a.m. “Sunset” means that time determined by the national weather service.
• PWCs must be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner at all times. For example, the following operations are illegal:
  • Jumping the wake–Waves that a vessel leaves behind as it moves through the water of another vessel unnecessarily close to the other vessel
  • Weaving your PWC through congested traffic
  • Swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid a collision
• A PWC must be operated at “slow, no wake speed–The slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and which does not create a wake” if crossing within 150 feet behind another vessel unless the other vessel is also a PWC.
• You may not operate a PWC within 200 feet of a Great Lakes shoreline unless traveling at “slow, no wake speed” perpendicular to the shoreline.
• You may not operate a PWC in waters less than two feet deep unless you are operating at “slow, no wake speed” or are docking or launching your PWC.
• It is illegal to harass wildlife or disturb aquatic vegetation with your PWC.

Remember ... As an owner of a PWC, you are responsible if you allow anyone else to operate your PWC in such a way that it violates the laws of Michigan or causes danger or injury to others.

Be Part of the Action! Learn more about operating a PWC with this interactive animation. (Most students will already have Flash installed. If not, follow this link to install the Flash Player.)

Towing a Person With a Vessel Legally

In addition to adhering to laws as they apply to all vessels, boat and PWC operators towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device must obey these laws.

• Every vessel towing a person(s) on water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device must have a person, in addition to the vessel operator, observing the towed person(s) at all times
• It is illegal to tow persons on water skis, surfboards, or any device of this type between:
  • One hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise if towed behind a boat
  • One hour before sunset and 8:00 a.m. if towed behind a PWC
• Persons being towed must stay at least 100 feet away from:
  • A shoreline (if operating in water less than three feet deep)
  • Any moored or anchored vessel
  • A dock or raft
  • Any marked swimming area or person(s) in the water
• Those being towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III PFD. Inflatable PFDs may not be used.

When towing persons behind your vessel, you are still responsible for following all other navigation rules and boating laws.