(1) If a person carelessly and heedlessly operates a vessel upon the waters of this state in disregard of the rights or safety of others, without due caution and circumspection, or at a rate of speed or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger a person or property, that person is guilty of reckless operation of a vessel and is subject to the penalties described in subsection (3).
    (2) If a person, while being towed on water skis, a water sled, a surfboard, or a similar contrivance upon the waters of this state, carelessly and heedlessly navigates, steers, or controls himself or herself in disregard of the rights or safety of others or without due caution and circumspection and in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger a person or property, then that person is guilty of reckless operation of the contrivance that he or she controls is subject to the penalties described in subsection (3).

Terms Used In Michigan Laws 324.80147

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Conviction: means a final conviction, the payment of a fine, a plea of guilty or nolo contendere if accepted by the court, a finding of guilt, or a probate court or family division disposition on a violation of this part, regardless of whether the penalty is rebated or suspended. See Michigan Laws 324.80101
  • Department: means the director of the department of natural resources or his or her designee to whom the director delegates a power or duty by written instrument. See Michigan Laws 324.301
  • Person: means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity. See Michigan Laws 324.301
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories belonging to the United States; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
  • Vessel: means every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. See Michigan Laws 324.80104
  • Waters of this state: means any waters within the territorial limits of this state, and includes those waters of the Great Lakes that are under the jurisdiction of this state. See Michigan Laws 324.80104
    (3) Upon a person’s conviction under this section, the court may issue an order prohibiting that person from operating a vessel on the waters of this state for a period of not more than 2 years. Upon a person’s subsequent conviction under this section, the court shall order that person to participate in and complete a marine safety educational program approved by the department. An order issued pursuant to this subsection is in addition to any other penalty authorized under this part.