Who Enforces Boating Laws?

The boating laws of Michigan are enforced by officers of the Law Enforcement Division of the Michigan DNR, county sheriff's department, USCG, and any other authorized law enforcement agency.

• Officers have the right to stop and board vessels in order to check for compliance with federal and state laws.
• The USCG has enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.
• It is illegal to refuse to follow the directive of a person with law enforcement authority. An operator who has received a visual or audible signal from a law enforcement officer must bring his or her vessel to a stop.