Improper Distance

Michigan law designates the following dangerous operating practices as illegal.

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 on the waters of the state in areas not marked by well-defined channels, canals, rivers, or stream courses, at greater than “slow, no wake speed,” 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 PWC means that, if operating at greater than “slow, no wake speed,” PWC also must:

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