Axis A20 - Horn or Whistle; Bilge Pump(S); Visual Distress Signals

 Allboatsover16feet(4.8meters)inlengthmustbeequippedwithan
operablehornorwhistle.Testtheoperationofthehornperiodically,soasto
makesureitwillsoundwhenyouactuallyneedtoalertsomeoneoranother
boat.Thefollowingarestandardsignalswhenusingawhistleorahorn:
•Oneprolongedblast:Warning.
•Oneshortblast:Passonmyport(left)side.
•Twoshortblasts:Passonmystarboard(right)side.
•Threeshortblasts:Myenginesareinreverse.
•Fiveormoreblasts:Danger!
 Bilgepump(s)areinstalledinyourboattoremovewaterthatmay
accumulateinthebilge.Knowthelocationofthepump(s),wherethey
discharge,andwhereswitchesarelocated.Typicallytherearemanualswitch
and/oranautomaticswitchposition(s).Periodicallytesttheoperationofbilge
pumpsbyactivatingthemanualswitchandobservingthewaterdischarge.It
isbesttoleavethebilgepumpswitchesinautomaticmode,soastonotallow
excesswatertounknowinglyaccumulateinthebilgeofyourboat.Ifyour
bilgepumpcomesontoofrequentlyorcontinuously,investigatethesourceof
leakingwater(checkforhulldamage,hoseorpipingleaks,missingdrainplug,
exhaustsystemorballastsystemfailures,etc.),and/orreturntoshore.Excess
waterinthebilgeofyourboatcancauselossofenginepower,sinking,and/or
capsizing.
 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.
Pyrotechnic signaling devices can cause re and/or explosion, death,
serious injury, and property damage if improperly handled. Follow the
pyrotechnic manufacturer’s directions.
Axis
Owners
Manual
2019
Page 15
horn
or
whistle
bilge
pump(s)
visual
distress
signals