| The
Sweezey Lake Association asks your cooperation in observing
and enforcing the following rules: |
| • |
All boat traffic on
the lake shall go in a counterclockwise direction. |
| • |
Speed boating and
skiing hours are to be from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, except
from
July 1st through Labor Day weekend when the hours for
speed boating and skiing will be from 10:00 AM to 7:00
PM. |
| • |
All boats on the lake
before and after the hours listed above are requested
to cruise at low speeds. Please remain a reasonable
distance from all fishing boats. |
| • |
The Sweezey Lake Association
Park is open from sunrise to sunset and is only to be
used by current association members. |
| Michigan
State Laws |
| • |
All motorboats, sailboats,
and privately owned rowboats over 16 ft in length, used
in Michigan, must be registered. |
| • |
The U.S. Coast Guard
says you must have Coast Guard-approved PFDs (personal
flotation devices) on your boat. The number and type
depends on the length of your boat and the number of
people on board. |
| • |
Boats must have appropriate
lights for night operation. |
| • |
You may not operate
a motorboat at a speed above slow, no-wake speeds when
within 100 feet of a shoreline where the water depth
is less than 3 feet deep. |
| • |
If towing water skiers,
sleds, kites, or other floats, operate at least 100
feet from any dock, raft, swimmer, angler, or moored
or anchored vessels, unless skiers are being picked
up or dropped off. |
| • |
Any person towing
a water skier in any manner shall have on the boat,
in addition to the operator, one other person in the
boat capable of communicating with the operator. |
| • |
Keep skiers at least
150 feet away from all potential hazards. |
| • |
Tow skiers in a counterclockwise
direction. |
 |
| • |
Negligent Operation
icludes: |
| |
| • |
excessive speed
in a congested area, |
| • |
excessive speed
in fog or stormy conditions, |
| • |
operating under
the influence of alcohol or drugs, and/or |
| • |
towing water
skiers where obstructions exist or where a fall
might cause them to be hit by other vessels. |
|
| • |
Sailboats and boats
propelled by oars and paddles have the right-of-way
over motorboats because they are less maneuverable.
The only exception is when a non-powered boat passes
a motorboat. |
|
| • |
The following are
laws in effect controlling personal watercraft (jet
ski) use: |
| |
| • |
All people on
or towed by a PWC must wear a wearable-type PFD. |
| • |
No wake jumping,
weaving in heavy boat traffic, or coming unreasonably
close to other boats. |
| • |
PWC must observe
the 100-foot rule and not jump wakes closer than
150 feet from the boat making the wake. |
| • |
Young people
under the age of 12 cannot operate a jet ski (PWC). |
| • |
Young people
12 to 16 need a boating safety certificate or
direct adult supervision to operate a jet ski
(PWC). |
| • |
A person owning
or in charge of a PWC cannot allow young people
to operate illegally. |
|
|
| • |
Boaters under 16 years
of age must meet certain requirements before they can
legally operate a boat with a motor larger than 6 horsepower. |
| |
| • |
Under 12 years
of age – you must be directly supervised
by someone 16 years or older. The boat must not
have a motor/motors totaling more than 35 horsepower. |
| • |
12 to 16 years
of age – you must posses a boating safety
course certificate or be directly supervised by
someone at least 16 years of age. |
|
