10 SAFETY INFORMATION
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This Operator’s Guide contains es-
sential information to help prevent
personal injury and damage to equip-
ment. Safety messages appear
throughout this Guide in the applica-
ble section.
Be careful! Human error is caused by
many factors: carelessness, fatigue,
overload, pre-occupation, unfamiliarity
of operator with the product, drugs
and alcohol to name a few. Damage
to your boat and outboard can be fixed
in a short period of time, but injury or
death, has a lasting effect.
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SSaaffeettyy MMeeaassuurreess —— GGeenneerraall
– To fully appreciate the pleasures,
enjoyment and excitement of boat-
ing there are some basic rules that
should be observed and followed
by any boater. Some rules may be
new to you and others may be
common sense or obvious... irre-
spective, take them seriously!
– Be sure at least one of your pas-
sengers knows how to handle your
boat in case of an emergency.
– All passengers should know the lo-
cation of emergency equipment
and how to use it.
– Know the marine traffic laws and
obey them.
– All safety equipment and personal
flotation devices must be in good
condition and suitable for your type
of boat. Always comply with the
regulations that apply to your boat.
– Remember, gasoline fumes are
flammable and explosive. Always
adhere to the fueling procedure
contained in this Operator’s Guide
and those given to you by the fuel-
ing station. Always verify fuel level
before use and during the ride. Ap-
ply the principle of 1/3 fuel to desti-
nation, 1/ 3 back and 1/3 reserve
fuel supply. Do not carry spare fuel
or flammable liquids in any storage
or engine compartments.
– Whenever running the engine, as-
sure there is proper ventilation to
avoid the accumulation of carbon
monoxide (CO), which is odorless,
colorless, and tasteless, and can
lead to unconsciousness, brain
damage, or death if inhaled in suf-
ficient concentrations. CO accu-
mulation can occur while docked,
anchored, or underway, and in
many confined areas such as the
boat cabin, cockpit, swim platform,
and heads. It can be worsened or
caused by weather, mooring and
operating conditions, and other
boats. Avoid exhaust fumes from
your engine or other boats, provide
proper ventilation, shut off your en-
gine when not needed, and be
aware of the risk of back-drafting
and conditions that create CO ac-
cumulation. In high concentrations,
CO can be fatal within minutes.
Lower concentrations are just as
lethal over long periods of time.
– Avoid standing up or shifting
weight suddenly in light weight
boats.
– Keep your passengers seated in
seats. The boat’s bow, gunwale,
transom and seat backs are not in-
tended for use as seats.
– Insist on the use of personal flota-
tion devices, approved by the U.S.
Coast Guard, by all passengers
when boating conditions are haz-
ardous, and by children and non-
swimmers at all times.
– Proceed with caution and at very
low speed in shallow water.
Grounding or abrupt stops may re-
sult in personal injury or property
