Michigan Personal Watercraft Laws/Regulations - Summary
Registration Requirements
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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 Requirements
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Each person on board the personal watercraft must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) .
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 to the engine.
Each personal watercraft must be equipped with one B1 type fire extinguisher.
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. (too many folks ignore this one!)
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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 a slow-no wake speed.
A person shall not operate a personal watercraft where the water depth is less than 2 feet, unless one the following exist:
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 tot he shoreline, a person who operates a personal watercraft on any 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.
Age Requirements
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 or more and less than 14 years of age may use a personal watercraft on the waters of this state if all of the following circumstances exist:
The person is accompanied solely by the person's parent or legal guardian.
Both the person and the parent or legal guardian have obtained a boating safety certificate.
The personal watercraft is equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch, and the parent or legal guardian has the lanyard attached to his or her person, clothing. or personal flotation device.
The personal watercraft is designed to carry not less than two persons.
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.
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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 the owner of any damaged property. The operator also must give his or her name, address and vessel identification to the same persons.
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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 riden by his or her son, daughter, spouse, father, mother, brother, sister or other immediate member of the owner's family.
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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 level of 0.10% or more.
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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.
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Reminder
When the throttle is not engaged, the person operating the personal watercraft is unable to steer. Many accident and collisions have occurred because the operator was not aware of this. Please refer to your owner's manual prior to operating you personal watercraft. It is important to familiarize yourself with the operating characteristics of your personal watercraft before you ride.
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This information is not intended to provide you with everything you may need to know as a personal watercraft operator. It is a summary of the personal watercraft laws
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