Boating and Recreation in the Magician Lake Area
Boater Safety Class Schedule Here!
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This provides a link to the handbook describing the basic boating laws we all need to know and follow. And yet every day we see them violated. And if you rent, make sure your renters know and follow them too. There's a printable version too. |
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This provides a link to the trail systems in Southwest Michigan. There's also a link to check local snow conditions. However the trails may not be current depending on when this site was last updated. |
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This Link will show you the new boat density survey taken July 2008 by Charlotte and Howard Poole. |
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This Link will show you a survey taken July 2008 of other objects around the lake. |
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This Link will show you the boat density survey taken Labor Day 2007 on Dewey Lake. |
It’s the LAW!
Click here to read a summary of some of the laws that are commonly broken on our lake.
And remember there are more laws than are listed here. Use common sense and keep everyone safe. And also,
Don't drink and boat.
Check on life jacket requirements here
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The following is taken directly from the DNR Web Site.
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Boater Safety Class Schedule Here!
Who Needs to Take Boater Safety? |
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| Michigan conservation officers and Michigan county sheriffs encourage
all persons operating boats in Michigan to enroll in a boating safety course.
The following rules apply to boaters: |
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Wear Your PFD! Boating accident statistics compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard indicate that 80 percent of the people who drown in a boating or water accident would be alive today if they had been wearing a personal flotation device, or a life jacket, at the time of the accident. Who must wear a PFD (life jacket)?
What type of PFD do I need to carry on my boat in Michigan?
TYPE I
Advantages: Turns most unconscious wearers face-up in water. Highly visible color. Floats the person the best.
Disadvantages: Bulky.
Sizes: Two sizes to fit most children and adults.
TYPE II
Advantages: Turns some unconscious wearers face-up in water. Less bulky, more comfortable than Type I PFD. Inexpensive.
Disadvantages: Not for long hours in the water. Will not turn some unconscious wearers face-up in water.
Sizes: Infant, Child Small, Child Medium, Adult.
TYPE III
Advantages: Generally the most comfortable type for continuous wear. Freedom of movement for most active water sports. Available in many styles. Freedom of movement for water-skiing, small boat, sailing, fishing, etc.
Disadvantages: Wearer may have to tilt head back to avoid going facedown. In rough water, a wearer's face may often be covered by waves. Not for extended survival in rough water.
TYPE IV
Advantages: Can be thrown to someone. Good back-up wearable PFDs. Some can be used as a seat cushion.
Kinds: Cushions, Rings and Horseshoe buoys.
Disadvantages: Not for unconscious persons. Nor for non-swimmers or children. Not for many hours in rough water.
Note: All PFDs must be ready at hand and not enclosed in plastic bags or other containers. |
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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 (hp) without restrictions. • May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp only if they are directly supervised onboard by a person at least 16 years of age. • May not legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp under any conditions. ◆ Those 12 to 15 years of age: • May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp without restrictions. • May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp only if they: - Have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have onboard their boating safety certificate or... - Are accompanied onboard 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 PWC below. Who May Operate a PWC
◆ No one less than 12 years old may legally operate aPWC. ◆ A person who is 12 or more and less than 14 years of age may operate a PWC only if: • He or she obtained a boating safety certificate prior to January 1, 1999 or all of the following conditions are satisfied: - The person is accompanied solely by his or her parent or legal guardian. - Both the person and the parent or legal guardian have obtained a boating safety certificate. - 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 (life jacket). - The PWC is designed to carry at least two people. ◆ Those 14 years of age or older: • A person born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC only if he or she has obtained a boating safety certificate. • Those born December 31, 1978, or earlier may operate a PWC without restrictions |
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 that 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 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 except if at least one mile offshore of the Great Lakes or Lake St. Clair. • At greater than slow-no wake speed if any 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 operating at greater than slow-no wake speed (except in channels which are not posted) and such that the vessel or persons being towed are within 100 feet of: • A shoreline (if operating in water less than 3 feet deep) • Any moored or anchored vessel • A dock or raft • Any marked swimming area or person(s) in the water. In addition, if operating at greater than slow-no wake speed, PWCs must: • Stay at least 200 feet from any Great Lakes’ shoreline • Not cross within 150 feet behind another vessel other than another PWC. ◆ Improper Direction is defined as the failure to operate in a counter-clockwise direction except in areas marked by well-defined channels or rivers. ◆ Boating in Restricted Areas is defined as operating within a restricted area clearly marked by buoys, beacons, diver down flags, etc. ◆ Riding on Bow is illegal if the vessel is not equipped with bow seating and the vessel is operating at greater than slow-no wake speed. Persons are also not allowed to ride on the gunwale. While underway, persons on a vessel cannot sit, stand, or walk on any portion of a vessel not designed for that purpose. Note: This includes sitting on the front of a pontoon boat outside of the rails. Too many serous accidents have occurred when someone riding there falls and is "chopped" up by the prop. “Slow–No Wake” - The slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and does not create a wake |
Boater Safety Course Schedule
The boating safety certificate is only valid for students that are older then 12 years. Students should have their 12th birthday in 2008 to pre-register.