by 
The Curious Bag
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Hot summers and access to a myriad of waterways, including the Great Lakes, make Michigan a prime location for water activities. When water skiing, tubing or participating in other activities that require someone to be towed by a boat or personal watercraft, it is important to follow Michigan's water safety laws.
Age
Michigan's "Ashleigh Iserman Law," named after a 17-year-old girl who died in a personal watercraft accident, will go into effect in 2011, according to "The Muskegon (Mich.) Chronicle." The law will increase the minimum age required to drive a boat or jet ski without an adult on board from 14 to 16.
Observers
Under current Michigan law, at least one person on a boat or personal watercraft must continually watch any water skier or other person being towed by the vehicle. This person must be someone other than the person driving the vehicle.
100 Foot Rule
It is illegal for anyone being towed to come within 100 feet of swimmers, docks, rafts, docked boats, active boats or shorelines less than 3-feet deep.
Life Jackets
Michigan law currently requires skiers and other individuals being towed by a watercraft to wear a Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device. Inflatable devices are not permitted.
Time Frame
As of this writing, people may not be towed behind a boat between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise. People may not be towed by a personal watercraft between one hour before sunset and 8 a.m.
Source:
The Muskegon Chronicle: Michigan's New Law Will Make Waves for Young Boaters
Michigan Department of Natural Resources: Handbook of Boater Laws and Responsibilities
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