UPDATED MICHIGAN BOATING LAWS:

Who may operate a boat?

Those less than 12 years of age:  May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower without restrictions. 

May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 horsepower, but no more than 35 horsepower, only if they: have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board and are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years of age. 

May not legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 horsepower legally under any conditions.

 Those born on or after July 1, 1996, may legally operate a motorized boat over 6 horsepower only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it in their possession. 

Those born before July 1, 1996, may legally operate a boat without restrictions. 

Who may operate a personal watercraft?

Those less than 14 years of age may not legally operate a personal watercraft (PWC) (i.e., jet ski, wave runner).  

Those 14 and 15 years of age may legally operate a PWC if they have obtained a boating safety certificate and are:  Accompanied on board by their parent, legal guardian or by a person who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian and is at least 21 years of age; or Operating or riding the PWC at a distance of not more than 100 feet from their parent legal guardian or by a person who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian and is at least 21 years of age. 

Those at least 16 years of age and born after Dec. 31, 1978, may legally operate a PWC only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate. 

Those born on or before Dec. 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally without restrictions.  

 https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/boating/rules-and-regs/age-restrictions

1. All motorboats must be equipped with one U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket per person and one throwable-type cushion or ring buoy. Motorboats should be equipped with an anchor, fire extinguisher and lights.
2. Operate boat at a “Slow – No Wake” speed when your boat, or towed boarder/skier/tuber are within 100 feet of docks, rafts, buoyed swimming areas, moored boats.
3. To operate a motorboat powered by 6 horsepower or more, you must be at least 12 years old. Operators 12 to 16 years old must be accompanied by someone older than 16 or have in his possession a boating safety certificate from a State approved course. Oakland County sponsors this type of course. Call 858-4991 for information.
4. All boats and personal watercraft (jet skis, wave runners, etc.) must travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
5. All motorboats and sailboats over 12 feet in length must be registered with the State of Michigan and display and MC numbers. Operators are required to possess the Certificate of Registration on board during use.
6. Motorboats should not exceed a noise/sound rating of 86 decibels and should not exceed 55 MPH.
7. If your boat is used after sunset or before sunrise, it must be equipped with workable lights: one white light on the stern, higher than the bow and visible from all directions, and bow lights showing green on starboard (right) and red on port (left).
8. Boats cannot come within 100 feet of a scuba diver’s flag (red with white diagonal stripe) at any speed unless tending the divers.
9. Motorboats must always give sailboats, sailboards, canoes and rowboats the right-of-way.
10. When two boats pass from opposite directions, each boat must pass on the port side of the other. When overtaking/passing another boat, pass on the port side of the other boat. The boat being passed has the right-of-way.
11. Do not drive boats between rafts and the shoreline at any speed. Rafts should be placed within 100 feet of shore.
12. Failure to adhere to the State of Michigan laws pertaining to the waterways may be punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.