Boating Safety Practices / Boater Information
Safe Boating Practices
Spring, summer, and fall are the times of year to enjoy our pontoons, ski boats, wake boats, fishing boats, sailboats, and more. Here are a few basics to keep the fun and safely enjoy our lake.
We rely on the honor system regarding boating safety. It is important to follow a counterclockwise course around the lake; while keeping at least 100 feet of any anchored object or from the shoreline (to protect shoreline vegetation and landscaping). Please honor these limits in such areas. It is critical to also keep at least 200 feet from a vessel displaying a "diver down" flag (red background with white diagonal stripe). Finally, you must give way to any vessel, not under command. This includes sailboats, boats involved in fishing, or any boat which is hampered in its maneuverability.
A vessel overtaking another vessel, or a vessel to the port side of another vessel must give way. It is always the driver's responsibility to avoid a collision, even if the driver has the right of way. Although there are no specific distances for vessels underway, drivers should avoid coming close enough to other vessels where their wake would significantly disturb the other vessels.
All vessels must be registered with clearly visible registration numbers on both sides of the boat with a current validation decal displayed, and the registration available on-board the vessel (except for row boats and non-powered canoes under 16 feet). It is the driver's responsibility to ensure an appropriate personal floatation device (PFD) for each passenger aboard, and every child under 6 must be wearing an approved floatation device appropriate to the child's age. In addition, vessels also require a throwable flotation device and a fire extinguisher.
Jet skis / wave runners offer unique legal restrictions and liabilities. Their rules of operation should be clearly understood before their use.
There is a water skiing club on Oxbow Lake that installs and maintains a course. If you are interested in this activity contact a Board Member.
Navigation lights must be used between sunset and sunrise. Even non-powered vessels require an all-around white light. In addition, vessels with docking lights may use them only to dock, but not at any other point. See the Michigan Boating Handbook (link ABOVE) for further information about lights on vessels.
Every person being towed (i.e., tubing, skiing, wakeboarding, surfing) must have a type I, II, or III PFD. The vessel towing must have a spotter in addition to the vessel operator at all times.
Towing hours of legal operation for a boat are between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. Hours of legal operation for a PWC are between 8:00 A.M and sunset. If towing anyone, drivers must stay at least 100 feet from shore, any moored or anchored vessel, dock or raft, marked swimming area, or person in the water.