Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Who May Operate a Boat and Who May Operate a PWC

Who May Operate a Boat

Those less than 12 years of age:

• May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) legally without restrictions.
• May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp legally only if they are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years of age.
• May not operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp legally under any conditions.

Those 12 to 15 years of age:

• May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp legally without restrictions.
• May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp legally only if they:
• Have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have on board their boating safety certificate or ...
• Are accompanied on board by a person at least 16 years of age.

Those 16 years of age or older may operate any boat on the waters of Michigan. Note: See Who May Operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC) below.

Who May Operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC)

Those less than 12 years of age:

• No one under the age of 12 years may operate a PWC legally.

Those 12 and 13 years of age may operate a PWC legally only if:

• He or she obtained a boating safety certificate prior to January 1, 1999, or ...
• All of the following conditions are satisfied:
• The operator is accompanied solely by his or her parent or legal guardian and ...
• Both the operator and the parent or legal guardian have obtained a boating safety certificate and ...
• The PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch and the parent or legal guardian has the lanyard attached to his or her person, clothing, or PFD and ...
• The PWC is designed to carry at least two persons.

Those 14 years of age or older:

• A person born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally only if he or she has obtained a boating safety certificate.
• Those born December 31, 1978, or earlier may operate a PWC legally without restrictions.