G. Medical Emergency - Four winns 248 Vista Owner's Manual

• Check cleaning products for flammability.
• Ventilate when cleaning or painting.
• Disconnect electrical system from its power source
before performing maintenance.
• Replace breaker or fuse with same amperage de-
vice.
• Electrical appliances must be within rated amper-
age of boat circuits. Observe the boat carefully while
the electrical system is being energized.
• Allow only a qualified marine electrician to service
the boats electrical system.

G. Medical Emergency

Accidents while boating can and may happen. Be pre-
pared to handle these emergencies when they happen.
Keeping a first aid kit and dry blankets on board can
assist during these situations. It is also a good idea to
contact your local Red Cross for information and training
on first aid and CPR.
H. Propulsion Failure
Before you call for help regarding an engine or drive unit
failure, it is a good idea to eliminate the possibility of
simple problems. Turn off the engine and check to see
that (1) there is fuel in the tank; (2) the engine cooling
intakes on the outdrive are not clogged; (3) props are
clean and free of weeds, netting, etc. ; (4) no hoses are
leaking; (5) there is oil in the engine.
Once you have checked out the possibilities listed above
and find they are not the problem, call for help giving your
position and a detailed description of your boat.
I. Control Failure
In the unlikely event of a shift/throttle failure, shut down
the engine immediately. Carefully check the control con-
nections in the engine compartment to see if they are
secure. If not, try to locate the attaching hardware and
reassemble. If that is not possible, try to use whatever
is available such as paper clips, hair clips, tape, etc. , to
secure the connections. If a temporary repair is made,
return to port at the slowest steerable speed and be pre-
pared to take emergency action should the temporary
repair fail also. Have your dealer make repairs before
using the boat again.
Vista™ Owner's Manual
™
J. Steering Failure
If a problem with the steering occurs, shut down the
engine immediately. Check the connections to the drive
unit in the engine compartment. Some boats have a
push/pull cable while others will have hydraulic hose
connections. With cable connections, check the at-
taching hardware and tighten it if necessary. If you have
hydraulic hose connections, check to see if they are
leaking. If so, tighten the connections and check the
hydraulic fluid reservoir level. Most stern drives are power
assisted and have their own hydraulic reservoir and en-
gine mounted drive pump; check the level of reservoir
and drive pump belt. If the steering is not operating
properly, do not operate the boat and call for assistance.
K. Additional Underway Information
• Always be aware of local laws on noise limits. Noise
means engine noise, radio noise or even yelling by
people on your boat. Good seamanship demands
that you operate your boat quietly so as not to in-
fringe on the rights of others. Don't use thru-tran-
som exhaust unless you are well off shore.
• You are responsible for any damage or injury caused
by your boat's wake. Observe no wake speed zone
warnings. Operate your boat with regard for the
safety of other boats and people in your boating
area.
• Keep your engine well tuned to decrease exhaust
hydrocarbon emissions that pollute the air and wa-
ter.
T - 11 RETURNING TO SHORE
A. Docking
Always approach the dock slowly. Think before acting.
If you are wondering whether your boat will fit in a space
against a dock, remember that pilings are often (but not
always) spaced 10 feet apart.
Remember that it is easier to control a boat in reverse
because a boat steers from the stern. When backing
into a slip, back so that bow swings into the wind if
possible. You will have more control.
If possible, come in against the wind or current, which-
ever is stronger. Approach the dock at a 30-45° angle.
As the boat nears the dock, slowly swing parallel to it.
Tie the bow line first; then the stern.
Section T
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