Four winns 338 Vista Owner's Manual page 41

on board to observe the person in the water so the
driver can concentrate on operating the boat.
A. Water Sport Guidelines
Everyone participating in a water sport should observe
these guidelines:
1. Allow only capable swimmers to take part in any
water sport.
2. Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD)
approved by the US Coast Guard. Wearing
a properly designed PFD helps a stunned or
unconscious person stay afloat.
3. Be considerate of others with whom you share
the water.
4. Give immediate attention to a person who has
fallen. He or she is vulnerable in the water alone
and may not be seen by other boaters.
5. Approach a person in the water from the lee side
(opposite the direction of the wind). Turn off the
motor at least a boat length from the person.
6. Turn engine off and anchor before swimming.
7. Always participate in water sports in safe areas.
Stay away from other boats, beaches, restricted
areas, swimmers and heavily traveled waterways.
8. Swim only in areas designated as safe for swim-
ming. These are usually marked with a swim area
buoy (see Figure B-15). Do not swim alone or at
night.
Figure B-15: Swim Area Buoy
Rotating Propeller!
Rotating propeller can cut or sever causing
serious injury or death. Shut engine off and
remove ignition key when anyone is swimming
nearby. (See Section B-3D).
Boating Safety - Section B
9. Do not allow anyone near the propeller(s), even
when the engine is off. Propeller blades are sharp
and can continue to turn even after the engine is
off. Stay at least 150 feet away from areas marked
by diver down float. See Figure B-16.
Figure B-16: Diver Down Float
10. Do not drive the boat directly behind a water skier.
At 25 miles per hour, the boat will overtake a
fallen skier who was 200 feet in front in about
5 seconds.
B. Water Skiing/Wakeboarding/Kneeboarding
The popular sport of water skiing has brought a
special set of safety precautions to observe in boating.
The following guides help prevent accidents while
water skiing.
1. Water ski only in safe areas, away from other
boats and swimmers, out of channels, and in
water free of underwater obstructions.
2. Allow no one who can not swim to water ski.
Skiers must wear a USCG approved flotation
device. A Type III water-ski vest is an approved
and practical PFD.
3. Have a second person aboard to observe the
skier and inform the driver about the skier's hand
signals (Figure B-17). The driver must give full
attention to operating the boat and the waters
ahead.
4. Give immediate attention to a fallen skier. Be
careful not to swamp the boat while taking the
skier on board.
5. Always participate in water sports in safe areas.
Stay away from other boats, beaches, swimmers,
and heavily traveled waterways.
6. Be considerate of others with whom you share
the water.
Owner's Manual Page 38