elizabeth lake estates improvement assoc.

Lake Laws

Anyone operating a boat on Elizabeth Lake should be familiar with the lake laws, and follow them at all times. 

Michigan Marine Lake Laws & Boater Safety Taken from Boat.ed.com. A State approved boating safety organization recognized by the United States Coast Guard as meeting the standards of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program for all 50 States.

Click HERE for the Michigan Handbook of Boating Laws and Responsibilities.

I. SPEED LIMITS

1. Slow – no wake speed within 100 feet of the shoreline, any watercraft, pier, person, raft, swimming area, and swimmers.

2. Maximum speed 55 m.p.h. in all water unless otherwise regulated

3. Michigan law states that a person operating a vessel shall operate it in a careful and prudent manner and at such a rate

of speed so as not to unreasonably endanger the life or property of any person.

II. TOWING OF PERSONS

1. No water skiing between one hour after sunset and one hour prior to sunrise.

2. At least one competent person, in addition to the driver, shall be in any boat towing persons on water skis, sleds, etc.

This additional person shall observe the person being towed.

3. The tow boat must be equipped with a 170 degree wide angle rear view mirror to observe the person being towed.

III. DISTANCE BETWEEN PERSONS BEING TOWED AND OTHER OBJECTS

Vessels and persons being towed on water skis, water sleds, etc. shall maintain a distance of 100 foot from any dock, raft, buoyed or occupied bathing areas, or vessels moored or at anchor, except when the vessel is proceeding at a slow-no wake speed or when water skiers are being picked-up or dropped off.

IV. COUNTER-CLOCKWISE OPERATIONS

Persons operating vessels shall operate in a counter-clockwise fashion when reasonably possible.