SUMMER
PLEASURES

Follow Water Rules
for Safe Boating

Photo By Ge ne Meadows

F

50

CAROL HALLIGAN INTERIORS

320 MAPLE, BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 48009 [248] 642-1755

ollowing a few common
sense "rules of the water"
will help ensure a fun,
safe time this summer,
advises AAA Michigan.
"All boaters, whether they're
on a jet ski Personal Watercraft
(PWC), or in a 12-foot rowboat,
must have the know-how and
have all proper equipment to
safely operate their craft," said
Jerry Basch, AAA Michigan
Community Safety Services
Manager.
Here are a few tips to help
owners of Michigan's nearly
900,000 registered watercraft en-
joy themselves safely on the wa-
ter:
• If you're new to boating, sign
up for a safe boating class and
practice operating your craft
away from other boaters. Contact
your local law enforcement ma-
rine safety division, or the Coast
Guard Auxiliary, for schedules.
• If you're going far from shore,
install a marine radio and stay
alert for changing weather and
water conditions. A GPS, or Glob-
al Positioning System unit,
whether hand-held or on the
boat, is invaluable in fog or for op-
erating long distances offshore.
• All persons aged 12 to 16
must complete a safe boating
class to operate a motorized boat,
or be accompanied by someone at
least 16 years old.
• All boats, canoes and kayaks
less than 16 feet must have one
wearable life jacket, or Personal
Flotation Device (PFD) for each
person aboard. A "throwable" is
required on craft 16 feet or longer.
• Children ages 6 and under

must wear PFDs at all times
while aboard.
• Michigan boating laws re-
quire U.S. Coast Guard approved
PFDs in serviceable condition be
carried aboard and be readily ac-
cessible. These PFDs, available
for various purposes, must be of
these four types: Type I: Life pre-
server. Keeps an unconscious per-
son floating face out of water;
Type II: Buoyant vest. Keeps an
unconscious person floating face-
up, out of water; Type III: Special
purpose. Not designed to turn an
unconscious person faceup. More
comfortable for water sports;
Type IV: Throwables. Not wear-
able. Required on vessels 16 feet
or longer.
• Motorboats with closed com-
partments that can trap fuel va-
pors require an approved fire
extinguisher, horn or audible de-
vice for emergencies and to warn
other vessels.
• Persons under age 12 cannot
operate a PWC. Operators aged
12-15 must have a boating safe-
ty certificate or be accompanied
by someone aged 16 or older.
• PWCs must be operated in "a
reasonable and prudent manner."
Maneuvers such as wake jump-
ing and cutting too close to an-
other vessel constitute reckless
operation, according to Michigan
Department of Natural Resources
law enforcement officials.
• Obey the "100-foot rule."
Keep all craft at least 100 feet
from other craft, divers or
rafts and designated, marked
swimming areas. (Pending leg-
islation may increase the 100-
foot rule.)

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