28.2 Personal Protective Equipment
28.4 Boating Safety Requirements
28.2 Personal Protective Equipment #
Employees using watercraft, or working over or NEAR unguarded water hazards where there is a danger of drowning, shall be provided with US Coast Guard approved life jackets or vests. Life jackets or vests shall be inspected for defects by a competent person before each use. Defective units shall not be used.
A ring buoy with not less than 90 feet of safety line shall be available for rescue operations. The distance between ring buoys shall not be more than 200 feet.
Where the water hazard is large and deep, at least one lifesaving boat, equipped with an effective method of propulsion, will be available for water rescue. In situations where water hazards are guarded with guard rails, life jackets or vests are not required, however means of rescue (e.g., ring buoys, rescue boat, rescue personnel, etc.) may still be required.
Personnel conducting diving operations should comply with section 9.6, Diving Operations, for specific safety requirements
28.3 Safe Boating #
- Be Weather Wise: always check weather conditions before departure
- Use common sense: this means operating at a safe speed at all times (especially in crowded areas), staying alert at all times and steering clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. Also, be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids, all of which have been placed there to ensure your own safety.
- Designate an assistant Skipper: make sure more than one person on board is familiar with all aspects of your boat’s handling, operations, and general boating safety.
- Develop a float plan: always be sure to let someone else know where you are going and how long you are going to be gone. It is always a good idea to use the U.S. Coast Guard Float Plan that describes the details of your planned outing. It contains the who, what, where, when and how of your outing or trip. Simply fill out the form before heading out on the water, print it, and leave it with a person who can be depended upon to notify the local police, sheriff, Coast Guard station or other rescue organization, should you not return as scheduled. (Do not file this plan with the Coast Guard.) The information provided is considered the “minimum” information needed when filling out a float plan. Consider utilizing the back side(s) of these forms to provide as much detailed information as possible to ensure complete information is on hand in the event you should have a mishap.
- Make proper use of lifejackets: every member of your crew should have a U.S. Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Device (http://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php)
- Learn to swim: proper boating safety includes knowing how to swim. Local organizations, such as the American Red Cross and others, offer training for all ages and abilities.
- Take a boating course
- Consider a free vessel safety check: the US Coast guard offers complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations, free of charge. They also offer virtual online safety checks as well.
28.4 Boating Safety Requirements #
All individuals operating a boat or personal watercraft (PWC) shall comply with the Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities.
Personal Flotation Devices #
- Michigan boaters are required to carry at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved Type IV PFD (ring buoy OR seat cushion) on all recreational boats that are 16 feet in length or greater, in ADDITION to the wearable PFD required for each person on board.
- Children: All boaters or passengers under 6 years of age must be wearing their PFD, either Type I or II, while the vessel is underway.
- Vessels which are less than 16 feet in length, as well as all canoes and kayaks have the option of either carrying a Type I, II or III wearable PFD onboard for each passenger or a Type IV throwable PFD for each passenger.
- Someone being towed behind a vessel is considered to be on board.
- All personal watercraft (PWC) occupants must be wearing their PFD while underway.
Personal Watercraft (PWC) #
- Those less than 14 years of age may not legally operate a PWC.
- Those 14 and 15 years of age may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate and…
- They are accompanied on board by their parent or legal guardian or by a person at least 21 years of age who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian or…
- They are operating or riding the PWC at a distance of not more than 100 feet from their parent or legal guardian or from a person at least 21 years of age who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian.
- Those at least 16 years of age may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate.
Personal Watercraft Regulations #
- A person shall maintain a distance of 100 ft. from any dock, boat, raft, buoyed or occupied bathing area while driving at other than slow – no wake speed.
- A person shall not cross within 150 ft. behind another vessel other than a personal watercraft, that is moving at greater than a slow – no wake speed.
- A person shall not operate a PWC on the waters of this state from one hour before sunset to 8:00 A.M local time.
- Maneuvers that endanger life, limb, or property, including weaving through congested traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel or turning unnecessarily close to another vessel and/or swerving at the last moment to avoid a collision constitutes reckless operation of a vessel.
- Carrying more persons than the vessel is designed to carry is prima facie evidence of reckless operation of a vessel.
Distance between persons being towed and other objects #
Vessels and persons being towed on water skis, water sleds, etc. shall maintain a distance of 100 foot from any dock, raft, buoyed or occupied bathing areas, or vessels moored or at anchor, except when the vessel is proceeding at a slow-no wake speed or when water skiers are being picked-up or dropped off.
Navigation Lights #
If underway between sunset and sunrise, or during periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc.), vessels must be equipped with and exhibit navigation lights. The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of your vessel.
Michigan Boat Registration #
All vessels propelled by machinery, including gasoline, diesel and electric motors, and principally operated on Michigan waters must be registered and issued a Michigan Certificate of Number (Registration) by the Michigan Secretary of State.
All vessels 20 feet and longer and all watercraft with permanently affixed engines regardless of length must be titled, and issued a certificate of title by the Michigan Secretary of State. Watercraft not required to be titled may be titled as an option.
Certification of Number #
Boat owners must have at least a temporary Certificate of Number and validation decal before they can operate in state waters. Upon receipt of the Certificate of Number please note the following:
- It must be signed and carried onboard when operating the vessel.
- It is valid for three years and expires on March 31st of the third year.
- The Michigan Secretary of State must be notified within 15 days if the boater changes residences.
- The Michigan Secretary of State must be notified within 15 days if the boat is sold or changes ownership; or if the vessel is destroyed or abandoned.
- Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel and placed three inches after the last character of the registration number.
The Certificate of Number, validation decals and title are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to any Secretary of State branch. For details more details on obtaining or renewing a Certificate of Number visit Michigan Gov Watercraft Page.
Unlawful and Dangerous Operation #
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 are:
- Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic or swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision
- Jumping the wake 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 operating a vessel at speeds that may cause danger to 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
- At greater than “slow, no wake speed” when a person is in the bow of a vessel without proper seating
- 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 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 Direction is defined as the failure to operate in a counterclockwise direction on the waters of this state in areas not marked by well-defined channels, canals, rivers, or stream courses.
Michigan Boater Exam #
All boaters born after December 31, 1978 who operate a personal watercraft and all boaters born after June 30, 1996 who operate any powered watercraft must have a Michigan Boating Safety Certificate which can be done online.
The Michigan Boating Safety Certificate (also known as the Michigan Boating License or boaters license) is proof that you have met the mandatory boat safety education requirements for the State of Michigan. The Michigan Boating Safety Certificate is good for life and does not need to be renewed.
All workers that are required to have passed the Michigan Boater Exam and have a Michigan Boating Safety Certificate (a Michigan Boating License) shall have this certificate with them while operating a boat or other watercraft. Supervisors of these workers shall keep a copy of this certificate on file in their departmental records.
Boating Resources Includes information on the boat, boating equipment, trip planning and preparation, and emergency preparedness
Suggested Boating Safety Courses #
Many boating safety courses are offered throughout the country, for all types of recreational boaters, and for boaters of all ages. Qualified volunteer organizations, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, and others sponsor many courses, and many state boating agencies also provide classes.
Courses cover many aspects of boating safety, from boat handling to reading the weather, and from a “Water ‘N Kids” class to courses for boaters who want to learn electronic navigation skills. The most popular basic courses generally have from 6 to 13 lessons to provide a foundation of operational and safety instruction.
