From our beloved Lake Michigan to the thousands of inland lakes and streams that dot the landscape throughout southwest Michigan and the rest of the state, there are nearly endless opportunities for boating fun.

When boating, kayaking and canoeing, safety should always be your top priority — both for you and your loved ones and for our natural resources.

To help keep safety at the forefront, the U.S. Coast Guard offers a free boating safety mobile app for Apple and Android devices. It features navigation rules, float plans, a safety equipment checklist, weather reports and more. An emergency assistance button will call the closest Coast Guard command center for help, so long as you enable the app’s locations services. Newer state laws have also been enacted to help boaters, including one that allows electronic verification for a boater’s safety certificate, which is more convenient and lessens the chance of lost or misplaced paper certificates.

It is also important to ensure watercraft are properly registered. Nonexempt vessels are registered through the secretary of state and must display a registration decal. There are exemptions, including watercraft 16 feet or less that are propelled by oars or paddles and not used for rental or commercial purpose; nonmotorized canoes and kayaks not used for rental or commercial purpose; and watercraft registered in another state and used only temporarily in Michigan. Registrations are renewed every three years and expire on March 31 of the third year. Find more information at ExpressSOS.com and click on “Vehicle Services,” then “Renew: Vehicle — Watercraft — Snowmobile.”

When it comes to protecting our natural resources, there are new rules in place to help combat aquatic invasive species that directly impact boaters. Keep these rules in mind while you’re out and about: clean boats, trailers and equipment before leaving ramp areas; dry boats and equipment; drain live wells, bilges and all water; dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, not the water; and return fish to the water where caught if catching and releasing. Visit michigan.gov/invasives and click on the “Laws” section for more information.

Boating is a fun family activity, and there’s no better place to enjoy the outdoors than the water wonderland of Michigan. By keeping safety a top priority, you’ll help protect the ones you love and the waters we enjoy, so that fun can be had by all for many years to come.

Kim LaSata, R, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties. She can be reached at (517) 373-6960 or SenKLaSata@senate.michigan.gov