Representatives from the Recreational Boating Industry and MI Department
of Natural Resources Share Sharply Contrasting Perspectives
Regarding Criteria for ‘Safe and Responsible’ Operation of Wake Boats
by Scott Brown
MWA Director
As indicated by the fact that almost all of the eighty seats available in Room 134 of Michigan State University’s Brody Hall were occupied by registration fee paying attendees, and by the ultimately friendly and constructive tone that defined the exchange of ideas and differences of opinion that occurred throughout the “Current Perspectives on Wake Boats” themed session, by all important measures, MI Chapter, North American Lake Management Society’s (McNALMS) Friday, December 1, 2023 / 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Lunch and Learn event was a great success!
Following a simple but a tasty sandwich, soup, salad, coleslaw, chips, and cookie (and don’t forget the great chocolate brownies!!!) lunch, McNALMS President Melissa DeSimone introduced and welcomed the first speaker of the day – Michigan Boating Industry Association Executive Director Ms. Nicki Poulan. The first of two speakers presenting the recreational boating industry perspective on wake boats, Ms. Poulan first reminded the audience that with 850,000 + registered watercraft, and 1,500 boating related sales and service focused businesses with annual sales valued at $11.7 billion, Michigan represents the United States third largest marine market. Ms. Poulan also emphasized the pro-active role of the Michigan Boating Industry Association (MBIA) in funding and promoting a statewide campaign dedicated to reminding wake boat operators to “wake responsibly”, and also highlighted the fact that in addition to contributing to efforts to help thwart the spread of exotic aquatic invasive species by supporting a Clean Marina Program, MBIA also helps educate Michigan’s boaters about the need to always “Clean, Drain, and Dry”.
The recreational boating industry perspective regarding safe and responsible operation of wake boats was also presented by Ethan Hellier, Water Sports Industry Association Midwest Government Affairs Manager. In addition to focusing upon the considerable economic contributions of Michigan’s flourishing boating industry, a significant portion of Ethan’s presentation relied upon the findings of a scientific study whose results suggest that the potentially harmful impacts to shorelines and shoreline infrastructure caused by the high energy wakes generated during wake boarding or wake surfing can be substantially negated by operating a minimum of (only) two hundred feet from shore. Each of the recreational boating industry representatives suggested that along with operating a minimum of two hundred feet from shore, wake boat operators can “wake responsibly” by avoiding repetitive passes, and by keeping music at “reasonable levels.” See the Water Sports Industry Association Wake Responsibly graphic that appears below.
Supported by a MI Department of Natural Resources fisheries staff authored Power Point presentation entitled “A Literature Review of Wake Boat Effects on Aquatic Habitat”, MI DNR fisheries biologist Dr. Joe Nohner provided an attentive Lunch and Learn audience with a substantially different perspective regarding what responsible wake boat operators must do in order to help ensure that the high energy wakes produced by their extraordinarily heavy watercraft do not harm shorelines, shoreline-based infrastructure, or cause re-suspension of bottom sediments. Sharing with the audience the peer reviewed results of a significant number of scientific studies that have been conducted in recent years to better understand the potential impact of wake boats on aquatic ecosystems, Dr. Nohner’s scientific research-based presentation concluded with his discussion of “best operating practices” that “minimizes harm to the natural resources and property of Michigan citizens”.
MI Department of Natural Resources Recommended Wake Boat Best Operating Practices:
- Boats operating in wake-surfing mode or wake-boarding mode, during which boat speed,
wave shapers, and/or ballast are used to increase wave height, are recommended to operate at
least 500 feet from docks or the shoreline, regardless of water depth. - Boats operating in wake-surfing or wake-boarding modes are recommended to operate in
water at least 15 feet deep. - Ballast tanks should always be drained prior to transporting the watercraft over land