Michigan Laws 324.80144 – Operation of vessels; rules; violation; fine
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Terms Used In Michigan Laws 324.80144
- Motorboat: means a vessel propelled wholly or in part by machinery. See Michigan Laws 324.80103
- Operate: means to be in control of a vessel while the vessel is under way and is not secured in some manner such as being docked or at anchor. See Michigan Laws 324.80103
- Operator: means the person who is in control or in charge of a vessel while that vessel is underway. See Michigan Laws 324.80103
- Person: means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity. See Michigan Laws 324.301
- Port: means left, and reference is to the port side of a vessel or to the left side of the vessel. See Michigan Laws 324.80104
- Starboard: means right, and reference is to the starboard side of a vessel or to the right side of the vessel. See Michigan Laws 324.80104
- 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
(1) When vessels are being operated in such a manner as to make collision imminent or likely, the following apply:
(a) When 2 vessels are approaching each other head-on, or nearly so, the operator of each shall cause his or her vessel to pass on the port side of the other.
(b) When overtaking a vessel proceeding in the same direction, the operator of the overtaking vessel, unless it is not feasible to do so, shall pass on the port side of the vessel ahead.
(c) When 2 vessels are approaching each other at right angles or obliquely so as to involve risk of collision, other than when 1 vessel is overtaking another, the operator of the vessel that has the other on his or her own port side shall hold his or her course and speed, and the operator of the vessel that has the other on his or her own starboard side shall give way to the other by directing his or her course to starboard so as to cross the stern of the other vessel or, if necessary to do so, shall slacken his or her speed, stop, or reverse.
(d) When a motorboat and a vessel under sail are proceeding in a manner that involves a risk of collision, the operator of the motorboat shall give way to the vessel under sail.
(e) When a motorboat and a vessel not propelled by sail or mechanical means are proceeding in a manner that involves risk of collision, the operator of the motorboat shall give way to the other vessel.
(f) When, by any of the rules provided in this section, the operator of a vessel is required to give way to the other, the operator of the other vessel shall maintain his or her direction and speed.
(2) This section does not relieve the operator of a vessel otherwise privileged by this section from the duty to operate with due regard for the safety of all persons using the waters of this state.
(3) A person who violates this section is responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $500.00.