Safety Precautions While Operating The Boat; Your New Boat; Accidents; Maneuvering - Volvo 5.0OSiE-J Operator's Manual

Safety Precautions While Operating the Boat

Your New Boat

Read the operator's manuals and other information
supplied with your new boat. Learn to operate the en-
gine, controls and other equipment safely and correct-
ly. If this is your first boat, or is a boat type with which
you are not familiar, we recommend that you practice
controlling the boat in peace and quiet, away from oth-
er vessels, docks, shallow areas, and other obstacles.
Learn how the boat behaves at different speeds, in
varying weather conditions, and alternating loads be-
fore casting off for your "real" maiden voyage.
Remember that the person driving a boat is legally re-
quired to know and follow the current rules regarding
traffic and safety at sea. Make sure you know the rules
that apply to you and the waters you are sailing in by
contacting the relevant authorities or organization. A
good piece of advice is to take a course in seaman-
ship. We recommend that you contact your local boat-
ing organization to find a suitable course.

Accidents

Statistics show that poor maintenance of boats and
engines and a lack of safety equipment are often the
main causes of accidents at sea. Ensure that your
boat is maintained in accordance with the relevant us-
er's documentation and that the necessary safety
equipment is on-board and is serviceable.

Maneuvering

Avoid violent and unexpected changes in course and
gear engagement. This could cause someone on the
boat to lose their balance and fall over or overboard. A
rotating propeller can cause serious injury. Check that
nobody is in the water before engaging ahead or
astern. Never drive near bathers or in areas where
people could be in the water. Avoid trimming an out-
board drive too much, as steering will be severely re-
duced.
VPA 7748131 English 09-2007

Emergency Stop Switch

We recommend that you install and use an emergen-
cy stop switch (accessory), especially if your boat can
travel at high speeds. The emergency stop switch acts
as a safety breaker and stops the engine if the driver
falls down and loses control over the boat.
NOTICE! When testing the emergency stop switch,
do so at engine idle speed only. Activating
the emergency stop switch at any speed
above idle will allow water to be ingested
into the engine, causing serious damage.

Daily Checklist

To prevent a possible explosion or fire, make a habit of
checking the engine and engine compartment visually
before operating the boat (before the engine is start-
ed) and after operating the boat (after the engine has
been stopped). Also, smell for the presence of gas
fumes. This will help you to quickly detect fuel, cool-
ant, or oil leaks and to spot anything else unusual that
has occurred or is about to happen.
If the engine compartment is not equipped with a
blower, open the engine cover or hatch before starting
it to disperse any gasoline fumes that may be present.
Leave the hatch open until after the engine is running.

Refueling

When refueling there is always a danger of fire and ex-
plosion. Smoking is forbidden and the engine must be
switched off. Never overfill the tank. Close the fuel
tank filler cap properly.
Always use fuel recommended by Volvo Penta. The
use of lower quality fuels can damage the engine.
Poor fuel quality can also lead to higher maintenance
costs.

Do not Start the Engine

Do not start or run the engine with a suspected fuel or
LPG leak in the boat, nor when you are close to or in
a discharge of explosive media, etc. There is risk of
fire and/or explosion in explosive surroundings.
Safety Information
9