Transporting; Aquatic Invasive Species (Ais); Handling The Outboard Separately From The Boat - Tiller Models Only - Mercury Avator 7.5e Operation, Maintenance And Installation Manual

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

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AIS and their spread can detrimentally impact the boating experience and the
future of the boating lifestyle. Reducing the spread of AIS has led to significant
national efforts to inspect boats moving between water bodies or across state
and federal boundaries and could lead to delayed or denied access if AIS are
suspected or found on board.
AIS include plant life such as Eurasian watermilfoil and water hyacinth,
and animals such as spiny water flea, quagga, and zebra mussels. AIS
may vary in size from microscopic, to easily visible to the naked eye, and
can live in residual water or mud. These species damage ecosystems and
negatively impact fishing by depleting natural food resources, altering the water
environment, and changing the structure of the ecosystem.
The impact of AIS has already resulted in the limiting of boating access
to many waterways throughout North America, the closure of public boat
ramps, and the reduction of availability for fishing and boating across the
United States. Many federal, state, and local agencies have enacted laws and
regulations for inspections, permits, launch availability, and water access for
boats entering public waterways.
Boats and associated equipment are major contributors to the spread of
AIS. Boats that have come into contact with AIS can become a means of
transportation through attachment and entrapment.
The operator should be aware that water passes in and out of the space under
the lower cowls on the outboard during normal operation of the boat. When
flushing and cleaning the boat to control the spread of AIS, pay attention to this
space by directing flushing water into the spaces under the lower cowl.
For more information about the control of AIS in the area, please contact the
area wildlife conservation office or local governmental natural resources office.
Handling the Outboard Separately From the Boat ‑ Tiller Models
Only
IMPORTANT: To avoid personal injury from accidental activation or damage
to outboard or battery, remove the battery before handling, lifting, carrying, or
transporting the outboard.
1. Remove the battery from the outboard. Refer to Battery Removal.
2. Carry the battery separately from the outboard or use the carrying case
(optional accessory) to transport the battery.
3. Remove the outboard and hold it upright until the water has drained out.
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TRANSPORTING

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