General Safety Around the Lake

• Please operate your vessel counter clockwise around the lake. 
• No wake speed within 100 ft. of any other watercraft. 
• No passenger may sit on front of a pontoon boat while underway. 
• Operation of any watercraft, while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is prohibited. 
• If you observe a Marine Safety Violation on the lake, phone 269-657-3101 and give the person answering the following:  a description of the boat, what they are doing wrong, MC numbers (if you can get them), and any other information that will help to identify the offender. 
• The bottom line is that lake residents are responsible for the actions of their visiting friends and family. We urge you to educate them as to boating safety and keep yours and our families safe. 

Who May Operate a Boat

• Did you know 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 they have 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 at least 16 years of age and born on or after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate. 
• Those born on or before December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally without restrictions. 
• It is illegal to operate a PWC between sunset and 8:00am. 

Duplicate Safety Education Certificate Request
If you have previously completed a Michigan Marine Safety Education Course, and your original certificate has been lost or misplaced, please fill out and submit the Duplicate Certificate Request form at https://secure1.state.mi.us/dupcertrequest
You may also apply for a duplicate certificate by mail or phone (517) 373-3292. There is no charge for this service. 

Ice Safety

Winter sports such as ice fishing, sledding, snowmobiling and ice-skating are popular activities with many residents.With these activities come some safety precautions. Ice can be very enjoyable but very dangerous. Ice on the lake is affected by many aspects of nature. The strength and thickness of the ice should be known before any activities take place on it.

To determine what activities can safely take place, a rough rule of thumb is

• Walking: 2 inches of ice* 
• Fishing: 4 inches of ice*
• Snowmobiling: 5 inches of ice*
• Vehicles: 8-12 inches of ice* 

* Inches of new, clear ice

Never check ice or rescue a victim of ice failure alone, because you could go from rescuer to victim in a matter of seconds.
Always check the ice before going out on it. Be aware that ice thickness and strength can vary from location to location.
Remember to bundle up, be safe and enjoy the winter activities our great lake has to offer!