MICHIGAN BOATING LAWS HAVE CHANGED! Do You Need a Safe Boating Class?

If you boat in Michigan, your age and your boat's horsepower determine whether you need to take an approved safe boating course. South Bend Sail and Power Squadron offers a class that meets the Michigan requirements!

Boat Operator Age and Education Requirements

If you boat in Michigan, your age and your boat's horsepower determine whether you need to take an approved safe boating course. South Bend Sail and Power Squadron offers a class that meets the Michigan requirements!

Boat Operator Age and Education Requirements

There are no age or education requirements for a boat of less than 6 horsepower. If you were born on or after July 1, 1996, you may not legally operate a boat in Michigan of greater than 6 horsepower unless you have had an approved safe boating course and have your card with you! If you are less than 12 years of age, you may operate a boat up to 35 horsepower if you have had an approved safe boating course and have your card with you, and are directly supervised by someone at least 16 years old. If you were born before July 1, 1996, you may operate a boat of any horsepower without age restrictions or educational requirements. (It's still a good idea to take a boating safety course!)

(more) Michigan Boating Laws

This Month's Highlights

Next Meeting

Join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, 17 April 2018 at Gianetto's Pizza! Cash bar and social hour at 6:30 p.m. and order from the menu for dinner at 7:00 p.m. See our next meeting page for details.

 Roster 04 June 2017

The latest edition of our roster, dated 04 June, 2017, is posted on the Member's Page (access restricted to members). Members Must Log In to have access.

 D9 Interlaker

The Spring 2018 edition of the District 9 newsletter, the Interlaker has been posted on the Member's Page (access restricted to members). Members Must Log In to have access.

United States Power Squadron's ABC 3rd Edition Public Boating Course

New to boating, or just want to learn more about how to have more fun on the water? Our America's Boating Course, 3rd Ed. is our introductory public boating course. Join us for an exciting introduction to the fun of being on the water.

Our current classes are held on five weeknights, with each session approximately two hours. The fifth session includes a multiple choice examination that meets the mandatory boating education requirements of Michigan, Indiana, and most other states. Students who successfully complete the examination will receive a boating education card that certifies completion of mandatory education.

Public Boating Classes:

Earn your certificate for mandatory boating education requirements! 

Special Weekend Edition

Our 2018 season kicks off with a special weekend edition of our America's Boating Course.. The classes will be held at Pier 33, 250 Anchors Way, St. Joseph, MI 49085 on April 21 2018, April 28, 2018, and May 12, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Registration will be April 21, 2018 at 8:45 a.m. The final exam will be May 12, 2018. No class on May 5, 2018 because of the Blossom Time Festival Grand Parade. See our Current Classes page for details.

Regular Five-Week Class

We'll be holding our regular five-week class at Battell Center, 904 N Main Street, Mishawaka, IN on Monday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm beginning May 14, 2018 and continuing through June 18, 2018 (no class on Memorial Day). Registration will begin May 14, 2018 at 6:15pm. See our Current Classes page for more details.

 More information about all of our class offerings can be found on our Education page or our Current Classes page.