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Operation
GOOD COMMON SENSE, JUDGMENT AND EXTREME CAUTION
MUST BE EXERCISED WHEN OPERATING A BOAT WITH
SOMEONE IN THE UPPER HELM. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE
IN THE UPPER HELM WHEN THE WATER IS ROUGH OR WHEN
OPERATING IN UNFAMILIAR WATERS WHERE RUNNING
AGROUND IS A POSSIBILITY. REMEMBER, WEIGHT IN THE
UPPER HELM RAISES THE BOAT’S CENTER OF GRAVITY AND
THE BOAT’S MOTION IS GREATLY EXAGGERATED FOR THE
PEOPLE AT THE UPPER HELM.
2.12 Man Overboard
If someone falls overboard, you must be prepared
to react quickly, particularly when you are oshore.
The following procedures will help you in recovering
a person that has fallen overboard.
• Immediately stop the boat and sound a man
overboard alarm and have all passengers point
to the person in the water.
• Circle around quickly and throw a cushion or life
jacket to the person, if possible and another to
use as a marker.
• Keep the person on the driver side of the boat so
you can keep him in sight at all times.
• Make sure to approach the person from the
downwind side and maneuver the boat so the
propeller is well clear of the person in the water.
• Turn o the engine when the person is alongside
and use a ring buoy with a line attached, a paddle
or boat hook to assist him to the boat. Make sure
you don’t hit him with the ring buoy or the boat.
• Pull the person to the boat and assist him on
board.
• Check the person for injuries and administer
rst aid if necessary. If the injuries are serious,
call for help. Refer to the Safety chapter for
more information on rst aid and requesting
emergency medical assistance.
MOVING PROPELLERS ARE DANGEROUS. THEY CAN CAUSE
DEATH, LOSS OF LIMBS OR OTHER SEVERE INJURY. DO
NOT USE THE SWIM PLATFORM OR SWIM LADDER WHILE
THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. STOP THE ENGINE IF DIVERS OR
SWIMMERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO BOARD. ALWAYS PROPERLY
STORE THE LADDER BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE.
2.13 Water Skiing & Wakeboarding
Your boat could be equipped for water skiing and
wakeboarding. If you have never driven skiers be-
fore, you should spend some hours as an observer
and learning from an experienced driver. If you are
an experienced driver, you should take some time to
become familiar with the boat and the way it handles
before pulling a skier. The driver should also know
the skier’s ability and drive accordingly.
The following safety precautions should be
observed while towing water skiers.
• Water ski only in safe areas, away from other
boats and swimmers, out of channels and in
water free of underwater obstructions. The area
should be at least 5 feet deep, 3000 feet long
and have at least 100’ between each side of the
boat and any obstructions.
• Make sure that anyone who skis can swim. Do
not allow people who cannot swim to water ski.
• Be sure that the skier is wearing a proper life
jacket. A water skier is considered on board
the boat and a Coast Guard approved life jacket
is required. It is advisable and recommended
for a skier to wear a otation device designed
to withstand the impact of hitting the water at
high speed.
• Make sure to inspect the ski equipment and
tow rope before each ski session. Never use
equipment that is damaged or with loose screws,
torn boots, severe corrosion or tears in the fabric.
You should also inspect the ski tow rope and
replace if it is frayed, has unnecessary knots
or is damaged. Never use a ski tow line that is
questionable.
• Secure the ski tow rope to an appropriate device
intended for ski tow ropes.
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