16
Chapter 2
At Least Annually (To be performed by a marine
professional);
5 Replace exhaust hoses or mufflers if any evidence of
cracking, charring or deterioration is found.
5 Replace the engine water pump impeller along with
the plate and housing if necessary. This will help prevent
cooling system and in turn exhaust system overheating.
5 Inspect each of the metallic exhaust components for
cracking, rusting, leaking or looseness. Pay detailed
atttention to the exhaust manifold, cylinder head, water
injection elbows.
BOATING & ALCOHOL
Operating a vessel while intoxicated became a specific
federal offense effective in 1988. The ruling set federal
standards for determining when an individual is
intoxicated. If the blood alcohol content (BAC) is .10%
(.08 in some states) or higher for operators of recreational
vessels being used only for pleasure are subject to a civil
penalty up to $1,000 or criminal penalty up to $5,000, one
year imprisonment or both. In some states the fines and
imprisonment may increase significantly.
The effects of alcohol and drugs account for the highest
single cause of marine accidents and deaths. Most deaths
in boating accidents occur when someone falls into the
water. Balance is one of the first things you lose when
drinking alcohol or under the influence of drugs. The
problem arises out of not knowing your balance is
restricted.
Overall vision is reduced by alcohol especially at night,
along with double or blurred vision. Peripheral vision is
lessened which restricts seeing vessels or objects on the
side. Also, color awareness decreases especially with red
and green which happen to be the colors of boat
navigation lights, buoys, and channel markers.
Alcohol will greatly increase your heat loss so it increases
the effects of hypothermia. Finally, your ability to make
correct judgements in emergency situations is greatly
reduced. Alcohol takes away the brains ability to process
information quickly and delays a persons reaction time.
Don’t drink and drive!
FEDERAL LAWS PROHIBIT OPERATING
A VESSEL UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF
ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.
THESE LAWS ARE VIGOROUSLY
ENFORCED BY ALL LOCAL, STATE AND
FEDERAL AGENCIES.
!
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