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Registration |
In Michigan, all motorboats, sailboats, privately owned rowboats over 16 feet in length, rental or commercial canoes, and all rental and commercial vessels propelled by any means and principally used in Michigan, must be registered. Vessels numbered under the approved numbering systems of another state may temporarily use Michigan waters. When a vessel is moved to Michigan as its state of principal use, it must be numbered in Michigan within 60 days. Larger vessels (usually over 30 feet) may be documented. Check with the Coast Guard for more information.
Applications for a certificate of number are available at any Secretary of State branch office.
When approved, a certificate of number is issued for a period of 3 years. The certificate of number indicates the boat's number. It is pocket sized and must be carried whenever the boat is being used.
Proper Display of Boat Numbers
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| Hull Identification Number |
Boats must have a Hull Identification Number (HIN) permanently attatched to the transom on the starboard side, above the waterline. This number is like the vehicle identification number on a car. Boats also have the HIN permantently attached in a second, unexposed location. Record your HIN number and keep it in a safe place away from the boat. It may assist police in identifying your boat should it be stolen.
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Equipment Requirements -
Personal Flotation Devices |
The US Coast Guard says you must have USCG approved PFDs on your recreational boat. How many and what type depends on the number of people on board, the size of your boat, and the kind of boating you do.
How Many PFD's Do You Need?
In Michigan, everyone operating, riding on or being towed by a personal watercraft must wear a Type I, II or III PFD.
The US Coast Guard requireds ll vessels less than 16 feet used on the Great Lakes or connecting waterways, to carry one approved Type I, II or III device for each person on board.
Michigan law requires persons less than 6 years of age to wear a Type II PFD when riding on the open deck area of a boat.
Caring for your PFD
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Equipment Requirements -
Backfire Flame Arrestor |
Internal combustion engines may backfire. To safe guard against fire, all motorboats, except outboards and diesels, must have a US Coast Guard approved (or certified to meet USCG standards) backfire flame arrestor system on each carburetor. |
Equipment Requirements -
Muffler |
Noisy boats are illegal and unsafe. If a boat is too loud, the operator may not hear warning or distress signals. All motorboats are required to have an exhaust system that does not exceed 90 decibels at idle from 3 feet away and does not exceed 75 decibels when measured from shore. Also, the exhaust system must not have any bypass, cut out or sound amplifying equipment in the system. These requirements apply to all inland waters and the Great Lakes. |
Equipment Requirements -
Fire Extinguishers |
On vessels less than 26 feet, 1 B-I fire extinguisher is required.
On vessels 26 feet to less than 40 feet, 2 B-I or 1 B II fire extinguisher is required or a fixed B-I system.
On vessels 40 feet to 65 feet, 3 B-I or 1 B-II and 1 B-I fire extinguishers are required or a 2 B-I or 1 B-II fixed system. |
Equipment Requirements -
Ventilation |
Regulations require ventilation of all enclosed engine and fuel tank compartments on gasoline powered boats. Ventilation ducts must be at least 2 inches in diameter. Intake ducting must extend midway to the bilge, or at least below carburetor air intake level. Exhaust ducting must extend from the lower bilge to cowls in the open air. Manufacturers install exhaust blowers in engine compartments so gasoline fumes can be removed before engines are started. |
