Summer in Michigan means boating, tubing, kayaking, and spending time on the water but before you head out, it’s important to know the state’s life jacket laws. Whether you’re cruising Lake Michigan or paddling through a quiet inland lake, Michigan law requires life jackets (also called personal flotation devices or PFDs) in many situations and failing to follow the rules could lead to fines or increase legal risk if someone gets hurt. In this guide, we’ll break down who has to wear a life jacket, what the law says, and how to stay both safe and compliant on the water.
Do Michigan Boating Laws Require Life Jackets?
Yes. Michigan law requires every person on board a vessel to have access to a properly sized, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket and in some situations, wearing it is mandatory.
The primary law that governs life jacket use in Michigan is MCL 324.80165, which aligns closely with U.S. Coast Guard regulations. This law applies to all vessels including motorboats, personal watercraft (PWCs), kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes regardless of the size of the waterbody.
At minimum, Michigan law requires:
- One Type I, II, or III wearable personal flotation device (PFD) for each person on board any vessel.
- The PFD must be readily accessible, not packed away or under equipment.
- The life jacket must be the correct size based on the person’s weight and chest size.
- It must be in good, usable condition and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
In certain situations, like when a child under 6 is on a moving vessel or a person is riding a Jet Ski, the PFD must be worn at all times. These specific requirements are covered in the next sections.
Who Must Wear a Life Jacket in Michigan?
In Michigan, life jackets must be worn by:
- Children under 6 on the open deck of a moving vessel
- Anyone operating or riding on a personal watercraft (PWC) like a Jet Ski
- Anyone being towed behind a vessel (e.g., tubing, wakeboarding)
While all boaters must have a properly fitting life jacket on board, state and federal law only require certain people to actively wear them while underway or in high-risk activities.
Let’s break it down:
👶 Children Under 6
Must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I or Type II life jacket while on the open deck of any vessel that is underway (i.e., in motion). It must fit properly based on their weight and chest size.
🚤 Personal Watercraft Riders (PWC)
Operators and passengers on Jet Skis or other PWCs must wear a Type I, II, or III life jacket at all times even when the vessel is idling or near shore. Inflatable life jackets are not allowed for PWC use in Michigan.
🎯 Towed Riders (Tubing, Waterskiing, Wakeboarding)
Anyone being towed behind a boat or PWC must wear a Type I, II, or III life jacket. Again, inflatable PFDs are not allowed when being towed.
In all other situations, such as adults in kayaks or passengers on pontoon boats, life jackets must be onboard and easily accessible, but they don’t have to be worn unless conditions make it unsafe.
Michigan Life Jacket Rules for Children
Michigan law requires that all children under the age of 6 wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I or II life jacket while on the open deck of any moving vessel.
This rule applies to all motorized boats when they are underway meaning not anchored, moored, or docked. The life jacket must be:
- USCG-approved (Type I or II only)
- Sized correctly for the child’s weight and chest size
- In good condition with no rips, broken buckles, or water damage
- Worn at all times while on deck even on calm water or in shallow areas
👪 Common Scenarios Where the Law Applies:
- A child under 6 riding on the open deck of a pontoon boat while cruising
- A toddler standing near the edge of a bowrider while the engine is running
- A child walking around on a fishing boat while underway
⚠️ Important Clarifications:
- Children sitting inside an enclosed cabin of a moving boat are not required to wear a life jacket under Michigan law but doing so is still strongly recommended.
- The rule does not apply when the vessel is anchored or docked.
- Even though Type III life jackets are more common and comfortable, they do not meet Michigan’s legal requirement for children under 6, only Type I or II are acceptable.
Life Jacket Rules for Jet Skis, Tubing & Towed Riders
If you’re riding a personal watercraft (PWC) like a Jet Ski or being towed behind a boat, Michigan law is strict: you must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times.
This includes:
- PWC operators
- PWC passengers
- Anyone tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, or riding a water toy behind a boat or Jet Ski
🚫 Inflatable Life Jackets Are Not Allowed
Michigan law, in line with U.S. Coast Guard regulations, prohibits the use of inflatable PFDs for:
- Anyone riding a PWC
- Anyone being towed behind a vessel
These devices may be lightweight, but they don’t meet the performance standards required for high-speed or high-risk activities.
| 🚤 Activity | 🦺 PFD Requirement | ⚠️ Special Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Operating a Jet Ski (PWC) | Must wear Type I, II, or III | Inflatable PFDs not allowed |
| Passenger on PWC | Must wear Type I, II, or III | Applies at all times while underway |
| Tubing or Wakeboarding | Must wear Type I, II, or III | Required during all towing activities |
| Towed from PWC | Must wear Type I, II, or III | Inflatable PFDs prohibited |
Whether you’re jumping waves on a Jet Ski or pulling kids on a tube, life jackets must be worn — no exceptions. Violating these rules can result in fines and may increase your legal exposure if someone is injured.
What Kind of Life Jacket Do You Need in Michigan?
Michigan boating laws don’t just require a life jacket, they require the right type based on your vessel and activity. All life jackets used to meet legal requirements must be:
- U.S. Coast Guard-approved
- The correct size for the person (based on weight and chest size)
- In good, serviceable condition — no broken straps, mold, or fading
- Appropriate for the type of watercraft or activity
The type of PFD you need depends on two things:
- The size of your vessel (under or over 16 feet)
- Whether the law requires a wearable or throwable device
| ⛵ Vessel Type | 🧍 Wearable PFDs per Person | 🛟 Throwable Device Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 16 feet (incl. kayak/canoe) | Type I, II, or III (1 per person) | ❌ Not required |
| 16 feet or longer | Type I, II, or III (1 per person) | ✅ Yes — Must carry a Type IV throwable |
| Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP) | Type I, II, or III (1 per person) | ❌ Not required (unless vessel ≥16’) |
| Jet Ski / PWC | Type I, II, or III (must be worn) | ❌ Not required |
🔎 What Are Type I, II, III, and IV Life Jackets?
- Type I – Offshore vest; best flotation; turns unconscious person face-up
- Type II – Nearshore vest; less buoyant but suitable for inland waters
- Type III – Flotation aid; most comfortable, commonly used for water sports
- Type IV – Throwable cushion or ring; not worn, used in emergencies
💡 Note: Type V (special use/inflatable) PFDs do not satisfy Michigan’s legal requirements for children under 6, PWC riders, or towed individuals.
Can You Get a Ticket for Not Wearing a Life Jacket in Michigan?
Yes, violating Michigan’s life jacket laws can lead to civil fines, citations, and increased legal liability if an accident occurs. While enforcement varies by location, Michigan conservation officers, sheriff’s marine patrols, and the U.S. Coast Guard can all issue citations for noncompliance.
These are some of the most commonly enforced violations:
- Failing to have enough life jackets on board
- Not wearing a PFD when required (e.g., Jet Ski, tubing, or kids under 6)
- Using an inflatable PFD when it’s prohibited (like on a PWC or for a child)
- Storing life jackets in hard-to-reach compartments (they must be readily accessible)
The cost of a ticket can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the violation and whether it’s a repeat offense. In some cases, it could also affect your ability to pursue or defend against a boating-related injury claim.
| 🚨 Violation | 💰 Penalty | ⚖️ Enforced By |
|---|---|---|
| Child under 6 not wearing life jacket | $100–$500 fine | DNR, sheriff, or local police |
| No life jacket available for each person | Civil fine + possible citation | DNR or Coast Guard |
| Inflatable PFD used on PWC or while tubing | Fine + PFD may be confiscated | Marine patrol or local enforcement |
| PFDs stored out of reach or locked below deck | Warning or fine | Discretion of officer |
Can Life Jacket Use Affect a Boating Injury Lawsuit?
Yes. Whether or not someone was wearing a life jacket during a boating accident can directly impact a personal injury or wrongful death claim in Michigan.
If a person is injured or drowns while boating without wearing a required life jacket, the defense may argue comparative negligence to reduce or deny compensation. That means even if another party caused the accident, failure to wear a PFD could be used to shift part of the blame onto the victim or their guardian.
⚖️ Here’s how it can affect a case:
Reduced compensation: If a jury finds that not wearing a life jacket contributed to the severity of injuries, any award may be reduced by the percentage of fault.
Child safety claims: If a child under 6 wasn’t wearing a PFD as required by law, it could raise questions about adult supervision and legal responsibility.
Wrongful death liability: In fatal accidents, the absence of life jacket use may complicate a claim, especially when victims were being towed, on a PWC, or young children.
In other words, even if you weren’t at fault for the crash, not following Michigan’s life jacket laws could weaken your legal position in court or during settlement negotiations.
Clark Insight: Why Water Safety Matters Legally
We’ve handled injury and wrongful death cases across Michigan, and one thing is clear: what seems like a harmless day on the lake can quickly turn tragic, especially when basic safety laws aren’t followed. Life jacket violations might seem minor, but they can become major issues in the courtroom after an accident.
At The Clark Law Office, we’ve seen firsthand how boating injuries, drownings, and tubing accidents often involve preventable mistakes like failing to wear a proper PFD or using the wrong type of life jacket on a Jet Ski.
If you or your child was injured on the water and another party’s negligence played a role, you don’t need to sort through Michigan’s boating laws alone. Visit our Michigan boating accident lawyer page to learn more about your rights and how we can help you pursue a claim. We’ll help you understand your legal options and fight for the accountability and compensation your family deserves.
📞 Need answers after a boating injury or drowning accident? Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney, not a case manager.