Marine Division

new boat 2022  
The Marine Division is jointly funded by the Michigan Office of Natural Resources and the County of Barry.

Boater Safety Education 
Date: Last Saturday of June

Location: Shady Shores Association, 2965 Patterson Rd, Wayland MI, 49348

The registration process must be completed online prior to the start of the class at Boater Safety Education Events (kalkomey.com)

Please bring a writing utensil along with a lunch and something to drink.

No minimum age requirement; however, students under 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian.

If you have any questions, please send an email to Sgt. Steve Lehman at slehman@barrycounty.org. 

Who May Operate a Boat
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 – they 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 over 12 years of age:
New Law: “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.

Who May Operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC)
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 he or she 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 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 before December 31, 1978:
May operate a PWC legally without restrictions.

Legal Hours of operating a PWC: 8:00 a.m. to Sunset

The Marine Division is supported by a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.