(A) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the state unless each person riding on or being towed behind the vessel is wearing a Type I, Type II or Type III personal flotation device as described in Mich. Admin. Code R. § 281.1234.
(B) While operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch on the waters of the city, a person shall have the lanyard attached to his or her person, clothing or personal flotation device as is appropriate for the specific vessel.
(C) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the city between the hours from sunset to sunrise.
(D) A personal watercraft shall at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvers that unreasonably or unnecessarily endanger life, limb or property, including, but not limited to, weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake or another vessel unreasonably or unnecessarily close to the other vessel or when visibility around the other vessel is obstructed, and swerving at the last possible moment to avoid a collision, constitute reckless operation of a vessel, as provided in § 95.075 of this chapter.
(E) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the city carrying more persons than the vessel is designed to carry. Carrying more persons than the vessel is designed to carry is prima facie evidence of reckless operation of a watercraft under § 95.075 of this chapter.
(F) A person operating a personal watercraft on the waters of the city shall maintain a distance of 100 feet from any dock, raft or buoy or occupied bathing area or shall not cross within 150 feet behind another vessel, other than a personal watercraft, that is traveling a speed greater than “slow-no wake speed”.
(G) A person under the age of 12 shall not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the city. A person 12 through 15 years of age may operate a personal watercraft on the waters of the city only when accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older or without adult supervision when in possession of a boating safety certificate in compliance with M.C.L.A. § 324.80141.
(H) The owner of a personal watercraft or a person having charge over or control of a personal watercraft shall not authorize or knowingly permit the personal watercraft to be operated in violation of division (G) above.
(I) This section does not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition or a person preparing to participate or participating in a regatta, race, marine parade, tournament or exhibition held in compliance with this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 21.5-83) (Ord. 1048, passed 5-18-1998)