Chapter 1: Introduction to Autopilots 8-1-3
ST290 Instrument System Owner’s Handbook
1.3 Safety information
Setup requirement
WARNING:
Autopilots are normally calibrated to default settings intended to
provide initial stable performance for most boats. However, to
ensure optimum performance on your boat, you must complete the
commissioning procedures in Section 8, Chapter 4 before using the
autopilot.
Navigation aid
WARNING:
Although we have designed this productto be accurate and reliable,
manyfactorscan affect itsperformance.As a result,it should only be
used as an aid to navigation and should never replace common sense
and navigational judgement. Always maintain a permanent watch
so you can respond to situations as they develop.
It is the skipper’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the boat at all times
by following these basic rules:
• Ensure that someone is present at the helm AT ALL TIMES, to take
manualcontrolinanemergency.
• Make sure that all members of crew know how to disengage the auto-
pilot.
• Regularly check for other boats and any obstacles to navigation – no
matter how clear the sea may appear, a dangerous situation can
develop rapidly.
• Maintain an accurate record of the boat’s position by using either a
navigation aid or visual bearings.
• Maintain a continuous plot of your boat’s position on a current chart.
• Ensurethat thelocked autopilotheading will steer the boat clearof all
obstacles.
• Make proper allowance for tidal set – the autopilot cannot.
• Evenwhenyour autopilot is locked onto thedesired track using a nav-
igation aid, always maintain a log and make regular positional plots.
It is possible for navigation aids to produce invalid data in some cir-
cumstances and the autopilot will not be able to detect this.
81183_2 S8.book Page 3 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 9:08 AM
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