Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Unlawful and Dangerous Operation of a Vessel

Michigan law designates these dangerous operating practices as illegal.

Reckless Operation of a vessel or reckless manipulation of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device is defined as operation which disregards the safety or rights of others or endangers the person or property of others. Some examples of reckless operation are:

• Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic or swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision
• Jumping the wake–Waves that a vessel leaves behind as it moves through the water of another vessel unnecessarily close to the other vessel or when visibility around the other vessel is restricted
• Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
• Causing damage from the wake of your vessel

Failure To Regulate Speed is defined as operating a vessel at speeds that may cause danger to the life or property of any other person or at speeds that will not permit you to bring your vessel to a safe stop. It is illegal to:

• Operate a vessel in excess of 55 mph unless you are at least one mile offshore on the Great Lakes or Lake St. Clair.
• Operate a vessel at greater than “slow, no wake speed–The slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and which does not create a wake”when a person is in the bow of a vessel without proper seating.
• Operate a vessel faster than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions (weather, vessel traffic, etc.).

Improper Distance is not maintaining a proper distance while operating a vessel or towing a person. To maintain a proper distance when you are operating at greater than “slow, no wake speed” (except in channels that are not posted), the vessel or persons being towed must not be within 100 feet of:

• 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

Improper Distance for PWCs means that, if operating at greater than “slow, no wake speed,” PWCs also must:

• Stay at least 200 feet from any Great Lakes shoreline.
• Not cross within 150 feet behind another vessel other than another PWC.

Improper Direction is defined as the failure to operate in a counterclockwise direction except in areas marked by well-defined channels or rivers.

Boating in Restricted Areas is defined as operating within a restricted area clearly marked by buoys, beacons, diver-down flags, etc.

Riding on Bow is illegal if the vessel is not equipped with bow –Front of a vessel seating and the vessel is operating at greater than “slow, no wake speed.” Persons also are not allowed to ride on the gunwale–Upper edge of vessel's side (generally pronounced gunnel). While underway, persons on a vessel may not sit, stand, or walk on any portion of a vessel not designed for that purpose.

Remember ... As an owner of a vessel, you are liable if you allow others to operate your vessel in violation of the law.