Wayne County Sheriff Department
Boating Safety Course

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department Marine Unit will be conducting Boating Safety Courses. Please see course dates below.

The course will be held at the Trenton Westfield Activity Center - 2700 Westfield Road. The Trenton Westfield Activity Center is located approximately 2 miles East of I-75 and approximately 1/2 block North of West Road. There is ample parking at the center. Once inside the center, students will go to the “East Room” where the course will be conducted. A map and directions are detailed below. All classes will begin at 7:00 p.m. each night and will conclude at 10:00 p.m.

Each “class” consists of two (2) nights as indicated below. To complete the course, students must attend both class nights. Students must pre-register for this course. The first evening a student attends they will receive materials for the course, complete registration forms and receive instruction in boating safety. The second evening students attend, they will be completing the final exam and receive certificates when successfully completed. Students must attend both class nights. When you are attending your second evening (test night), students must arrive no later than 7:00 pm. For additional information and registration please contact the Wayne County Sheriff Marine Unit at 734-675-2660.

:: directions and map to westfield activity center ::

If more information is needed, contact the Wayne County Sheriff Marine Unit at 734-675-2660 or visit the website:

:: sheriff marine safety unit ::
:: sheriff marine division ::

In addition to the course materials you will receive from the Marine Safety Unit, the following websites may have additional useful information on boating safety:

:: boatsafe.com ::
:: boatus.com ::

:: back to the top ::

Requirements Specific to Personal Watercraft
In addition to adhering to all boating laws, Personal Water Craft [PWC] operators have requirements specific to their watercraft:

• You may not allow a person under 7 years of age to ride on or be towed behind your PWC

• The lanyard of a PWC's ignition safety switch must be attached to the person, clothing, or PFD of the operator

• It is illegal to operate a PWC between 1 hour before sunset and 8:00 a.m.

• It is illegal to jump the wake of another boat unnecessarily close to the other boat, to weave your PWC through congested traffic, or to swerve at the last possible moment to avoid collision.

• A PWC must be operated a idle speed if crossing within 150 feet behind another boat, unless other boat is also a PWC.

• You may not operate a PWC within 200 feet of a Great Lakes shoreline.

• You may not operate a PWC in waters less than 2 feet deep unless you are operating at idle speed or are docking or launching your PWC.

• It is illegal to harass wildlife or disturb aquatic vegetation with your PWC.

:: back to the top ::

Who May Operate A Personal Water Craft [PWC]

• Persons 12 and 13 years of age may operate a P.W.C If accompanied by a parent or guardian AND BOTH have in their possission a boating safety certificate.

• No one under the age of 14 years old may legally operate a PWC.

• All persons born after December 31, 1978 must have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have onboard their boating safety certificate in order to legally operate a PWC.

:: back to the top ::

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 of more than 6 horespower but no more than 35 horsepower 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 horsepower under any conditions.

Those 12 to 15 years of age:

• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower with no restrictions.

• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 horespower only if they:
• Have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have their boating safety certificate onboard, or...
• Are accompanied onboard by a person at least 16 years of age

Those 16 years of age and older:

• May operate any boat on the waters of Michigan. 
  :: Note: See who may operate a PWC above ::

:: back to the top ::