Four winns SL Series Owner's Manual page 28

NOTICE
Using a portable fire extinguisher with an
access/fire port in the engine compartment is
preferred to opening the engine compartment
to fight the fire. However, using a portable
extinguisher in this way provides less protection
against fire than a fixed suppression system.
NOTICE
Do not test fire extinguishers by squirting small
amounts of the extinguishing compound. The
fire extinguisher might not work when you
really need it.
Four Winns sport boat and deck boat models are
considered to be Class 1 powerboats (16 to less than
26 feet). Since they have permanently-installed fuel
tanks, they are required to carry one (1) B1 type hand-
held portable fire extinguisher. If the boat is equipped
with a fixed fire extinguishing system in the engine
compartment, one (1) B1 type hand-held portable fire
extinguisher is still required.
Sport boats and deck boats that are Class 2 power-
boats (26 to less than 40 feet) are required to carry
two (2) B1 type approved hand-held portable fire
extinguishers or one (1) B2 type approved hand por-
table fire extinguisher. When a fixed fire extinguishing
system is installed in machinery space(s), at least
one (1) B1 type approved hand portable fire extin-
guisher is required.
An automatic FE241 agent fire extinguisher system is
optional on the SL models. The equipment utilized has
been so chosen, and located, to provide sufficient vol-
ume and coverage of the entire engine compartment.
While the system ensures excellent overall bilge fire
protection, it does not eliminate the USCG require-
ment for hand-held fire extinguishers. Refer to the
extinguisher manufacturer's literature included in the
owner's packet if so equipped.
F. Visual Distress Signal Devices
Visual distress signal devices approved by the US
Coast Guard are required on all recreational boats
operating on coastal waters and to boats owned in
the United States when they are operating on the
high seas. Coastal waters include territorial seas
and those waters directly connected to the Great
Lakes and the territorial seas up to a point where the
waters are less than two miles (3.2km) wide. Visual
distress signal equipment may be of the pyrotechnic
Boating Safety - Section B
or non-pyrotechnic type. Regulations prohibit display
of visual distress signals on the water under any
circumstances except when assistance is required to
prevent immediate or potential danger to persons on
board a vessel.
The equipment must be approved by the US Coast
Guard, be in serviceable condition, and be stowed
in a readily accessible location. Equipment having
a date for serviceable life must be within the speci-
fied usage date shown. Careful selection and proper
stowage of visual distress equipment is very impor-
tant if young children are aboard.
Distress Signal Table
The minimum visual distress signals required in
coastal waters for a Class 1 or Class 2 powerboat is
the following:
One orange flag with black square and disc (daytime);
and an S-O-S electric light (nighttime); or three orange
smoke signals, hand-held or floating (daytime); or
three red flares of hand-held, meteor, or parachute
type (daytime/nighttime).
NOTICE
No single signaling device is appropriate for all
purposes. Consider keeping various types of
equipment on board.
G. Sound Signaling Devices
Class 1 and Class 2 powerboats are required to carry
a hand, mouth or power operated horn or whistle.
It must produce a blast of two-second duration and
audible at a distance of at least one-half (1/2) mile.
The following are standard whistle signals:
• One Prolonged Blast = Warning Signal
• One Short Blast = Pass on my Port Side
• Two Short Blasts = Pass on my Starboard Side
• Three Short Blasts = Engines in Reverse
• Five or More Blasts = Danger Signal
Owner's Manual Page 25