Safety gear on boats in Michigan

[Kal-Kevin]

Below is the ruling on safety gear in Michigan as sent to me by the Law Secretary Julie Wyhowski  of the Michigan DNR

OUTBOARD MOTORBOATS
R 281.1240 Outboard motorboats less than 16 feet in length.
Rule 10. An outboard motorboat less than 16 feet in length shall be equipped as follows:
(a) If the motorboat is not an open boat, it shall be equipped with 2 ducts fitted with cowls or their equivalent as specified in R 281.1237.
(b) One type I, II, III, or IV coast guard-approved personal flotation device as specified in R 281.1234 in good and serviceable condition for each person aboard. The devices shall be readily available and not encased in plastic bags or other type containers.
(c) If the motorboat is constructed so that it has decking or compartments where explosive or flammable gases may be entrapped as illustrated in figure 2, it shall be equipped with 1 BI-type coast guard approved fire extinguisher in good and serviceable condition and as specified in R 281.1235. When a fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in the machinery space, 1 less BI-type fire extinguisher is required.
(d) If underway between sunset and sunrise, the motorboat shall be equipped with an exhibit 1 white light aft, higher than the bowlight, showing all around the horizon and visible 2 miles and a combination 20 point bowlight forward, showing green to starboard and red to port, visible 1 mile, or in lieu of this requirement, may display lights as specified by the international rules of the road.
(e) If the motorboat is anchored between sunset and sunrise on the Great Lakes or waters connected thereto and not in a special anchorage area, a white light shall be displayed on the forward part of the motorboat to be visible to a boat approaching from any direction.
(f) With lights as specified by R 281.1233.
(g) With a muffler as specified by R 281.1238 for each motor.
History: 1979 AC; 2010 MR 12, Eff. June 16, 2010.
R 281.1241 Outboard motorboats 16 feet or over and less than 26 feet in length.
Rule 11. An outboard motorboat 16 feet or over and less than 26 feet in length shall be equipped as follows:
(a) If the motorboat is not an open boat, it shall be equipped with 2 ducts fitted with cowls or their equivalent as specified in R 281.1237.
(b) One type I, II, or III coast guard-approved personal flotation device as specified in R 281.1234 in good and serviceable condition, for each person aboard, plus 1 type IV throwable device. The devices shall be readily available and not encased in plastic bags or other type containers.
(c) One hand, mouth, or power-operated whistle, capable or producing a blast of 2 seconds or more in duration, and audible for at least 1/2 mile.
(d) If the motorboat is constructed so that it has decking or compartments where explosive or flammable gases may be entrapped as illustrated in figure 2, it shall be equipped with 1 BI-type coast guard approved fire extinguisher in good and serviceable condition and as specified in R 281.1235. When a fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in the machinery space, 1 less BI-type fire extinguisher is required.
(e) If underway between sunset and sunrise, the motorboat shall be equipped with an exhibit 1 white light aft, higher than the bowlight, showing all around the horizon and visible 2 miles and a combination 20 point bowlight forward, showing green to starboard and red to port visible 1 mile or in lieu of this requirement may display lights as specified by the international rules of the road.
(f) If the motorboat is anchored between sunset and sunrise on the Great Lakes or waters connected thereto and not in a special anchorage area, a white light shall be displayed on the forward part of the motorboat to be visible to a boat approaching from any direction.
(g) With lights as specified by R 281.1233.
(h) With a muffler as specified by R 281.1238 for each motor.
History: 1979 AC; 2010 MR 12, Eff. June 16, 2010.