Navigation Lights; Hazardous Conditions; Storms; Fog - Four winns FREEDOM Owner's Manual

T - 8

NAVIGATION LIGHTS

Although night activities are limited, cruising at night can
be very pleasurable. It can also be dangerous if you
don't pay close attention to water levels and obstacles.
Be especially careful of shallow waters and watch for
submerged debris, rocks and other obstacles in the water.
Your navigation lights are intended only to prevent colli-
sion, not to improve your night vision. You may choose
to use a spotlight instead.
NOTE: It is illegal to use your spotlight as a headlight.
Use it only temporarily to check the position of your boat
and the surrounding area.
Your boat has one white (stern), one red (port) and one
green (starboard) light. The stern light may be a remov-
able pole light. To use the light, line up the two-prong
plug in the pole with the receptacle in the base. Plug
the light in, and lock it into place with lever/slide lock.
When not in use, stow the light inside your boat for safe-
keeping. This light can be turned on or off at the helm.
Check lights for proper operation before heading out at
night. You should also learn to identify the running light
combinations for other vessels. We recommend that
you participate in a boating safety course to further learn
about navigation lights and safe boating practices.
The anchor lights and navigation lights are controlled by
a switch at the helm. The anchor light switch allows you
to turn on just the stern (white) light when anchored or
moored. While underway, use the navigation light switch
to turn on the stern (white), port (red) and starboard
(green) lights. Lights are off when switches are in the
OFF position.
T - 9

HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS

A. Storms
Storms sometimes appear without advance notice. Al-
though weather information from meteorological obser-
vation and reporting stations is available, weather bu-
reaus are known to have failures in their predictions or
information gathering equipment. There is no substitute
for a strong understanding of what action to take when
the weather takes a turn for the worse. Many marinas
fly weather signals. You should learn to recognize these
signals and monitor your local weather forecasts before
leaving port.
Freedom™/Horizon™ Owner's Manual
The present and forecasted weather conditions are of
primary consideration, but a threat of possible storms
should always be a concern. Observance of the follow-
ing information will help in your safety afloat if storms
do occur:
• Keep a watch on the horizon for approaching storm
indicators.
• Turn radio ON. Dial in local weather station and
monitor forecast. If your boat has a VHF radio,
check the weather channels.
• The best possible situation is to return to a safe
port if time allows.
• Close and secure all portals and hatches. Stow all
loose gear below deck and tie down any gear re-
quired to remain on deck.
• Reduce speed as the seas build. Make sure all
passengers are wearing their PFDs.
• If you lose power, keep the boat headed into the
waves by rigging a sea anchor off the bow. If there
is no sea anchor on board, use a canvas bucket or
any object that will offer resistance.
• Radar reflectors (if installed on your boat) should
be 18 inches diagonally and placed 12 feet above
the waterline.
B. Fog
Fog is a result of either warm surface or cold surface
conditions. You can judge the likelihood of fog forma-
tion by periodically measuring the air temperature and
dew point temperature. If the spread (difference) be-
tween these two temperatures is small, you likely will
incur a fog situation. Remember the following guide-
lines:
• Turn on running lights.
• As fog sets in, take bearings and mark your posi-
tion on the chart while continuing to log your course
and speed.
• Make sure all persons aboard are wearing their
PFDs.
• If your boat has depth finding equipment, take
sounding and match them with soundings on your
charts.
Section T
Page 8