T - 9 Hazardous Conditions; B. Fog; A. Storms - Four winns 278 VISTA Owner's Manual

Your boat has one white (stern), one red (port) and one
green (starboard) light. The stern light may be a
removable 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 safekeeping. 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 prac-
tices.
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 an-
chored 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.
Although weather information from meteorological
observation and reporting stations is available, weather
bureaus 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.
The present and forecasted weather conditions are of
primary consideration, but a threat of possible storms
should always be a concern. Observance of the
following 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.
Pre-Launch and Underway - Section T
• Close and secure all portals and hatches. Stow
all loose gear below deck and tie down any gear
required 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
formation by periodically measuring the air tempera-
ture and dew point temperature. If the spread
(difference) between these two temperatures is
small, you likely will incur a fog situation. Remember
the following guidelines:
• Turn on running lights.
• As fog sets in, take bearings and mark your
position 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.
• Station a person forward on the boat as a
lookout.
• Reduce your speed. From time to time, stop
engine and listen for fog signals.
• Sound the proper horn or fog bell at proper
intervals to warn other boaters.
• If there is any doubt in continuing boat move-
ment, anchor. Listen for other fog signals while
continuing to sound the proper fog horn or bell for
a boat at anchor.
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