accessKent Home

Sheriff's Department

Online Services

Recreational Safety Programs

Minimum Age for Motorboat Operators

Boaters under 16 years of age must meet certain requirements before they can legally operate a boat with a motor larger than 6 horsepower:

These requirements are:

  • Under 12 years of age - must be directly supervised by someone 16 years old or older. The Boat must not have a power motor totaling more than 35 horse power.
  • 12-16 years of age - must possess a boating safety course certificate or be directly supervised by someone at least 16 years of age.
  • The boating safety certificate must be carried and presented upon the demand of the peace officer.

Personal Watercraft Regulations

  • A person under the age of 14 shall not operate a personal watercraft (Wave Runner and Jet Ski) in the state of Michigan.
  • A person who is 12 or more and less than 14 years of age may use a personal watercraft on the waters of the state of Michigan if all of the following circumstances exist:
    • The person is accompanied solely by the person's parent or legal guardian.
    • Both the person and the parent or legal guardian have obtained a boating safety certificate.
    • The personal watercraft is equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch and the parent of legal guardian has the lanyard attached to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device.
    • The personal watercraft is designed to carry not less than 2 persons.
  • Those 14 years of age or older:
    • A person born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC only if he or she has obtained a boating safety certificate.
    • Those born December 31, 1978, or earlier may operate a PWC without restrictions.

Boaters Safety Classes

Date Time Place Cost Registration
June 23rd & 25th 6:00pm-9:00pm Kent County Sheriff Department
701 Ball Ave NE
Grand Rapids MI		 Free (616) 632-6237

Snowmobile Safety Classes

Date Time Place Registration Cost
October 22 & 23 6:00pm - 9:30pm 5255 Alpine Ave, which is located a the north west corner of 6 mile and Alpine Ave. (616) 784-1262 Free Class

Hunters Safety Classes

Date Time Place Registration Cost

August 11, 12 & 15

6:00pm - 9:00pm all three days VFW Post 3976 4195 13 Mile Rd. NE Rockford, Michigan (616) 887-6820 $10.00 includes snacks & refreshments
**Must be 10 years old to take this class

October 7, 8 & 9

6:00pm - 9:30pm all three days 5255 Alpine Ave, which is located at the north west corner of 6 mile and Alpine Ave (616) 784-1262 Free Class

November 11, 12 & 13

6:00pm - 9:30pm all three days 5255 Alpine Ave, which is located at the north west corner of 6 mile and Alpine Ave (616) 784-1262 Free Class

ORV Class

Date Time Place Registration Cost
NO CLASSES ARE SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME