Michigan Unit 4 Boaters Test || PASSED!!
Which Boats Require Registration? correct answers Requirements for vessel registration vary
from state to state. In Michigan, you must have a Certificate of Number (registration) and
validation decals to operate your vessel legally on public waters. The only exceptions are:
-Privately owned rowboats 16 feet or less in length
-Privately owned non-motorized canoes or kayaks
-Vessels registered in another state or country using Michigan waters for 60 days or less
Certificate of Number (Registration Card) correct answers The Certificate of Number and
validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to any Secretary
of State branch office. You can find your closest branch office by calling 1-888-SOS-MICH
(1-888-767-6424) or by visiting the Michigan State of Secretary website.
Displaying the Registration Number and Validation Decals correct answers The registration
number and validation decals must be displayed as follows:
-Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow as
high above the water line as practical.
-Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
-Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
-Number's color must contrast with the color of the background and be distinctly visible and
legible.
-Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: MC 3717 ZW or MC-
3717-ZW.
-No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
-Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel and placed three inches after the last
character of the registration number.
All watercraft with a motor, including electric and inflatable vessels, must be registered.
Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel correct answers Here are some
additional facts about titling and registering your vessel:
-All vessels that are 20 feet long or longer or have a permanently affixed engine must be
titled also.
-A Certificate of Number is valid for three years. The Certificate of Number may be renewed
on the Secretary of State website.
-As the owner of a vessel, you must notify the Secretary of State and surrender your
Certificate of Number within 15 days if: Your vessel is abandoned or destroyed or...Your
vessel is sold or ownership is otherwise transferred or...You change your address.
-If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or decal, you must apply to the Secretary
of State for a duplicate and submit a processing fee.
-Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens may (at the option of the owner) be
documented by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more
information. Documented vessels are required to be registered also.
,Hull Identification Numbers correct answers The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a
unique 12-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972.
Hull Identification Numbers:
-Distinguish one vessel from another—the same as serial numbers distinguish one car from
another.
-Are engraved in the fiberglass or on a metal plate permanently attached to the transom.
You should write down your HIN and put it in a place separate from your vessel in case
warranty problems arise or your vessel is stolen.
Operator Age and Education Requirements for Boats correct answers Those less than 12
years of age:
-May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) legally without
restrictions.
-May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp legally
only if they: Have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat
and...Are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years of age.
-May not operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp legally under any conditions.
-Those born on or after July 1, 1996, may operate a boat legally only if they have been issued
a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat.
-Those born before July 1, 1996, may operate a boat legally without restrictions.
Operator Age and Education Requirements for PWC correct answers -Those less than 14
years of age may not legally operate a PWC.
-Those 14 and 15 years of age may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a
boating safety certificate and... He or she is accompanied on board by his or her parent or
legal guardian or by a person at least 21 years of age who has been designated by the parent
or legal guardian or...He or she is operating or riding the PWC at a distance of not more than
100 feet from his or her parent or legal guardian or from a person at least 21 years of age who
has been designated by the parent or legal guardian.
-Those at least 16 years of age and born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC
legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate.
-Those born on or before December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally without
restrictions.
Reckless Operation correct answers Reckless Operation of a vessel or reckless manipulation
of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device is defined as operation that disregards the safety
or rights of others or endangers the person or property of others. Some examples of reckless
operation are:
-Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic or swerving at the last possible
moment in order to avoid collision
-Jumping the wake of another vessel unnecessarily close to the other vessel or when visibility
around the other vessel is restricted
, -Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
-Causing damage from the wake of your vessel
Failure to Regulate Speed correct answers Failure to Regulate Speed is defined as operating a
vessel at speeds that may cause danger to the life or property of any other person or at speeds
that will not permit you to bring your vessel to a safe stop. It is illegal to:
-Operate a vessel in excess of 55 mph unless you are at least one mile offshore on the Great
Lakes or Lake St. Clair.
-Operate a vessel at greater than "slow, no wake speed" when a person is in the bow of a
vessel without proper seating.
-Operate a vessel faster than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions (weather, vessel
traffic, etc.).
Improper Distance correct answers Improper Distance is not maintaining a proper distance
while operating a vessel or towing a person. To maintain a proper distance when you are
operating at greater than "slow, no wake speed" (except in channels that are not posted), the
vessel or persons being towed must not be within 100 feet of:
-A shoreline (if operating in water less than three feet deep)
-Any moored or anchored vessel
-A dock or raft
-Any marked swimming area or person(s) in the water
Improper Distance for PWC means that, if operating at greater than "slow, no wake speed,"
PWC also must:
-Stay at least 200 feet from any Great Lakes shoreline.
-Not cross within 150 feet behind another vessel other than another PWC.
Unsafe Conditions correct answers -Improper Direction is defined as the failure to operate in
a counterclockwise direction except in areas marked by well-defined channels or rivers.
-Boating in Restricted Areas is defined as operating within a restricted area clearly marked by
buoys, beacons, diver-down flags, etc.
-Riding on the Bow, Gunwales, or Transom is allowing passengers to ride on a motorboat in
places where there may be a chance of falling overboard. While operating at greater than
"slow, no wake speed," persons on a motorboat may not sit, stand, or walk on any portion of
a motorboat not designed for that purpose. This includes riding on the gunwale.
-Insufficient equipment is operating a vessel that is not carrying, storing, maintaining, and
using marine safety equipment on board the vessel as required by the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR).
Boating Under the Influence correct answers -Michigan law prohibits anyone from boating
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This includes operating any boat, sailboat, or
PWC. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired
judgment, and slower reaction times. Alcohol is a major contributor to boating accidents and
fatalities.
Which Boats Require Registration? correct answers Requirements for vessel registration vary
from state to state. In Michigan, you must have a Certificate of Number (registration) and
validation decals to operate your vessel legally on public waters. The only exceptions are:
-Privately owned rowboats 16 feet or less in length
-Privately owned non-motorized canoes or kayaks
-Vessels registered in another state or country using Michigan waters for 60 days or less
Certificate of Number (Registration Card) correct answers The Certificate of Number and
validation decals are obtained by submitting the proper application and fee to any Secretary
of State branch office. You can find your closest branch office by calling 1-888-SOS-MICH
(1-888-767-6424) or by visiting the Michigan State of Secretary website.
Displaying the Registration Number and Validation Decals correct answers The registration
number and validation decals must be displayed as follows:
-Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow as
high above the water line as practical.
-Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow.
-Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
-Number's color must contrast with the color of the background and be distinctly visible and
legible.
-Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen: MC 3717 ZW or MC-
3717-ZW.
-No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
-Decals must be affixed on each side of the vessel and placed three inches after the last
character of the registration number.
All watercraft with a motor, including electric and inflatable vessels, must be registered.
Other Facts About Titling and Registering Your Vessel correct answers Here are some
additional facts about titling and registering your vessel:
-All vessels that are 20 feet long or longer or have a permanently affixed engine must be
titled also.
-A Certificate of Number is valid for three years. The Certificate of Number may be renewed
on the Secretary of State website.
-As the owner of a vessel, you must notify the Secretary of State and surrender your
Certificate of Number within 15 days if: Your vessel is abandoned or destroyed or...Your
vessel is sold or ownership is otherwise transferred or...You change your address.
-If you lose or destroy your Certificate of Number or decal, you must apply to the Secretary
of State for a duplicate and submit a processing fee.
-Larger recreational vessels owned by U.S. citizens may (at the option of the owner) be
documented by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Call the USCG at 1-800-799-8362 for more
information. Documented vessels are required to be registered also.
,Hull Identification Numbers correct answers The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a
unique 12-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972.
Hull Identification Numbers:
-Distinguish one vessel from another—the same as serial numbers distinguish one car from
another.
-Are engraved in the fiberglass or on a metal plate permanently attached to the transom.
You should write down your HIN and put it in a place separate from your vessel in case
warranty problems arise or your vessel is stolen.
Operator Age and Education Requirements for Boats correct answers Those less than 12
years of age:
-May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) legally without
restrictions.
-May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp legally
only if they: Have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat
and...Are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years of age.
-May not operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp legally under any conditions.
-Those born on or after July 1, 1996, may operate a boat legally only if they have been issued
a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat.
-Those born before July 1, 1996, may operate a boat legally without restrictions.
Operator Age and Education Requirements for PWC correct answers -Those less than 14
years of age may not legally operate a PWC.
-Those 14 and 15 years of age may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a
boating safety certificate and... He or she is accompanied on board by his or her parent or
legal guardian or by a person at least 21 years of age who has been designated by the parent
or legal guardian or...He or she is operating or riding the PWC at a distance of not more than
100 feet from his or her parent or legal guardian or from a person at least 21 years of age who
has been designated by the parent or legal guardian.
-Those at least 16 years of age and born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC
legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate.
-Those born on or before December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally without
restrictions.
Reckless Operation correct answers Reckless Operation of a vessel or reckless manipulation
of water skis, a surfboard, or similar device is defined as operation that disregards the safety
or rights of others or endangers the person or property of others. Some examples of reckless
operation are:
-Weaving your vessel through congested waterway traffic or swerving at the last possible
moment in order to avoid collision
-Jumping the wake of another vessel unnecessarily close to the other vessel or when visibility
around the other vessel is restricted
, -Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel
-Causing damage from the wake of your vessel
Failure to Regulate Speed correct answers Failure to Regulate Speed is defined as operating a
vessel at speeds that may cause danger to the life or property of any other person or at speeds
that will not permit you to bring your vessel to a safe stop. It is illegal to:
-Operate a vessel in excess of 55 mph unless you are at least one mile offshore on the Great
Lakes or Lake St. Clair.
-Operate a vessel at greater than "slow, no wake speed" when a person is in the bow of a
vessel without proper seating.
-Operate a vessel faster than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions (weather, vessel
traffic, etc.).
Improper Distance correct answers Improper Distance is not maintaining a proper distance
while operating a vessel or towing a person. To maintain a proper distance when you are
operating at greater than "slow, no wake speed" (except in channels that are not posted), the
vessel or persons being towed must not be within 100 feet of:
-A shoreline (if operating in water less than three feet deep)
-Any moored or anchored vessel
-A dock or raft
-Any marked swimming area or person(s) in the water
Improper Distance for PWC means that, if operating at greater than "slow, no wake speed,"
PWC also must:
-Stay at least 200 feet from any Great Lakes shoreline.
-Not cross within 150 feet behind another vessel other than another PWC.
Unsafe Conditions correct answers -Improper Direction is defined as the failure to operate in
a counterclockwise direction except in areas marked by well-defined channels or rivers.
-Boating in Restricted Areas is defined as operating within a restricted area clearly marked by
buoys, beacons, diver-down flags, etc.
-Riding on the Bow, Gunwales, or Transom is allowing passengers to ride on a motorboat in
places where there may be a chance of falling overboard. While operating at greater than
"slow, no wake speed," persons on a motorboat may not sit, stand, or walk on any portion of
a motorboat not designed for that purpose. This includes riding on the gunwale.
-Insufficient equipment is operating a vessel that is not carrying, storing, maintaining, and
using marine safety equipment on board the vessel as required by the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR).
Boating Under the Influence correct answers -Michigan law prohibits anyone from boating
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This includes operating any boat, sailboat, or
PWC. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired
judgment, and slower reaction times. Alcohol is a major contributor to boating accidents and
fatalities.
