BOATING SAFETY
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• Two short blasts: pass on my starboard side.
• Three short blasts: my engines are in reverse.
• Five or more blasts: danger!
Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is required if your boat has an inboard engine, or when fuel is
stored in closed stowage compartments.
Approved fire extinguishers are classified by a letter symbol, either B-1 or B-II
with the B designating that the material will extinguish flammable liquids such as
gasoline, oil, etc. B-1 extinguishers are required for boats less than 26 feet in length.
Check periodically to ensure that the extinguisher is in working condition and fully
charged. Check local, state, country agency(ies) as to laws and regulations.
Emergency Safety Lanyard
Your boat is equipped with an emergency cutoff switch (safety lanyard.) We
strongly recommend that the lanyard be secured to the operator and the lock
plate attached to the emergency cutoff switch prior to starting the engine
and anytime the engine is operating. The cutoff lanyard is designed to turn off
the engine whenever the operator moves far enough away from the helm to
activate the switch.
WARNING
It is strongly recommended you use the Emergency Safety Lanyard system as
failure to do so can cause death or serious injury. DO NOT operate the boat if
the Emergency Safety Lanyard system does not function properly.
• Attach the safety lanyard to a secure place on your clothing, your arm or
leg while operating.
• DO NOT attach the lanyard to clothing that could tear loose.
• DO NOT route the lanyard where it could become entangled, preventing it
from functioning.
• Avoid accidentally pulling the lanyard during normal operation.
• Loss of engine power means loss of most steering control. Also, without
engine power, the boat could slow rapidly. This could cause people and
objects in the boat to be thrown forward.
There are practical limitations to what the Emergency Safety Lanyard can do.
It can take several seconds for the engine and propeller to stop turning. The
boat can continue to coast for several hundred feet depending on the velocity at
the time the switch was activated, and the degree of any turn. While the boat is
coasting, it can cause injury to anyone in its path as seriously as if the boat oper-
ated under power. Accidental loss of power can be hazardous particularly when
docking or in heavy seas, strong current or high winds.
Visual Distress Signals
All vessels used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and those
waters connected directly to them up to a point where a body of water is
greater than two miles wide, must be equipped with USCG approved visual
distress signals. Your dealer or local authorities can help you select appropriate
visual distress signals for your area.
If you are required to carry distress signals, you must have three USCG
approved pyrotechnic devices. Be sure they are in serviceable condition, not
exceeding the expiration date and stored in a cool, dry location in a red
or orange waterproof container.
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