2024 Michigan Boater Safety Course Update

Allegan County Sheriff’s Office Marine Deputies will once again be conducting in-person boater safety courses throughout Allegan County.

Anyone wishing to take an in-person class MUST register online with the D.N.R. using the registration webpage found on the Department of Natural Resources website. The direct link is below:

https://michigan.storefront.kalkomey.com/em/programs/9

Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email for your class. Any notices or changes to your selected class will be sent to you from your instructor. Upon completion, students can use this link to receive their Boater Safety Certificate number.

Classes that will be offered are listed below. Classes will be held throughout the county during the spring and early summer.  As always, if you should have any questions concerning a boater safety class, please email Marine Administrator Sgt. Todd Wagner at twagner@allegancounty.org

In addition, the Resources list on this page contains helpful material such as updated Safety Facts and the latest Michigan Boating Laws Handbook.

The Marine Division is supported by local county funding and through grants obtained from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Marine Deputies patrol all the navigable lakes in Allegan County along with the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan. Deputies are responsible for responding to boating and water related emergencies, enforcing marine laws, local watercraft controls and the investigation of boating accidents. Deputies work hand in hand with the United States Coast Guard. They are dedicated to boater safety education and ensuring citizens have a safe boating experience in Allegan County. Although the Marine Division responds to boating incidents throughout the entire year, patrols are mostly visible during the summer boating seasons.

Local Watercraft Controls

Special watercraft controls are in effect on various lakes and rivers within Allegan County. These bodies of water include Big Lake, Dumont Lake, East Lake, Ely Lake, Goshorn Lake, Hutchin’s Lake, Kalamazoo Lake, Lake 16, Round Lake, Selkirk Lake, Wetmore Lake, Saugatuck Harbor and various parts of the Kalamazoo River. Review the Local Watercraft Ordinances

Slow No Wake Zones

Various areas of the Kalamazoo River located within the Cities of Saugatuck and Douglas as well as Saugatuck Township has special watercraft controls consisting of “No-Wake” zones. Operators of watercraft are required to travel at the slowest possible speed a boat can operate at safely, while maintaining control of steering. View Kalamazoo River No-Wake Zones Maps.

Boating Safety Classes

Boater safety classes are taught annually by marine deputies allowing students to earn their Boating Safety Certificate.

One-Day Classes

This course covers recreational boating laws and regulations in the State of Michigan and is taught by a Law Enforcement Marine Deputy with the Allegan County Sheriff's Office.  Students attending this course should bring a no. 2 pencil and a sack lunch to class. Pre-registration on the DNR website with a contact No. is required. Upon successful completion of this course students will receive their Boater Safety Certificate.

Two-Day Split Classes 

This course covers recreational boating laws and regulations in the State of Michigan and is taught by a Law Enforcement Marine Deputy with the Allegan County Sheriff's Office.  Students attending this course should bring a no. 2 pencil to class. Pre-registration on the DNR website with a contact No. is required and students will need to attend both classes in order to successfully complete the course.

Upon successful completion of this course students will receive their Boater Safety Certificate.

Class Schedule

Register for classes at: https://michigan.storefront.kalkomey.com/em/programs/9

NOTE: Once registered, if you cannot attend, please cancel your reservation so others on the waiting list can register for the course.

Resources

Study Guide-Michigan Boat Ed Course (boat-ed.com)

FAQs