Personal Watercraft Safety

Michigan DNR personal watercraft regulations (2009)

Who may operate a personal watercraft:
  • No under twelve years of age may operate a PWC.
  • 12 and 13 year olds may operate a PWC only if they have obtained a boater’s safety certificate prior to 1/1/1999 or
  • Accompanied by a parent or guardian and both have a boater’s safety certificate.
  • PWC equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch and the adult has the switch attached to them.
  • The PWC is designed to carry two persons.
    • 14 years and older must have a boater safety certificate unless they were born before 12/31/78. Those individuals need no certificate.

    While most operate their Wave Runners responsibly, those who race close to shore, docks, and other boats frustrate and anger lake users.

    PWC’s must be operated at slow no-wake speeds under these conditions:

    Michigan Law makes it illegal to run personal watercraft in the last hour before sunset or before 8 AM.

    2009 Personal Watercraft Boating Hours

    Date  Begin End Sunset
    May 1 8:00 A.M. 7:44 P.M.  8:44 P.M.
    May 15 8:00 A.M. 8:00 P.M.  9:00 P.M.
    June 1 8:00 A.M. 8:17 P.M.  9:17 P.M.
    June 15 8:00 A.M. 8:26 P.M.  9:26 P.M.
    July 1 8:00 A.M. 8:29 P.M.  9:29 P.M.
    July 15 8:00 A.M. 8:23 P.M.  9:23 P.M.
    Aug. 1 8:00 A.M. 8:07 P.M.  9:07 P.M
    Aug. 15 8:00 A.M. 7:47 P.M.  8:47 P.M.
    Sept. 1 8:00 A.M. 7:19 P.M.  8:19 P.M.
    Sept. 15 8:00 A.M. 6:53 P.M.  7:53 P.M.

     

    To report unsafe or illegal PWC or boating activities call Wexford County Sheriff at 779-9211or DNR at 1-800-292-7800.
    A complete listing of boating regulations is listed at www.boat-ed.com/mi/handbook as well as at the DNR and Sheriff offices.

    What you can do to keep Invasive species out of Lake Mitchell

    INSPECT your boat and your equipment and remove all weeds from your trailer propeller, anchor, and any other place found on your boat.

    1. DRAIN all water from the boat motor, bilge, live well, and bait buckets on dry ground.
    2. DISPOSE of leftover bait in a trash receptacle, not in the water.
    3. RINSE your boat and all fishing equipment with hot tap water, OR thoroughly dry your boat outdoors for at least five days before traveling to a new lake or stream.
    4. TEACH and help others to do the same.

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