What age must a person be to operate a PWC without any conditions in Michigan?

In Michigan, to operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC) without any restrictions, an individual must be at least 16 years old. This age requirement is established to ensure that operators have sufficient maturity and understanding to handle the responsibilities that come with operating such a powerful and potentially dangerous watercraft.

Younger individuals, particularly those under the age of 16, are subject to specific rules, including needing to complete an approved boating safety course and being accompanied by an adult. This regulation helps to promote safety on the water by ensuring that only those who are adequately trained and appropriately aged are allowed to operate a PWC on their own.

Maintaining such age restrictions is common across many states to protect young operators and other boaters from accidents and injuries that can occur from inexperienced handling of a PWC.