Four winns vista Owner's Manual page 32

H. Voluntary Inspections
State boating officials in many states or the U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliaries offer courtesy inspections to check
out your craft. They will check for compliance with safety
standards and required safety equipment. You may
voluntarily consent to one of these inspections, and you
are allowed to make corrections without prosecution.
Check with the appropriate state agency or the Coast
Guard Auxiliary for details.
I. Safe Boating Courses
The local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power
Squadrons offer comprehensive safe boating classes
several times a year. You may contact the Boat/U.S.
Foundation at 1-800-336-BOAT (2628) or, in Virginia,
1-800-245-BOAT (2628) for a course scheduled in your
area. Also contact the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or
Power Squadron Flotilla for the time and place of their
next scheduled class.
B - 4 WATER SPORTS
Personal Injury!
Four Winns® boats are not designed for and
should not be used for pulling parasails, kites,
gliders or any device which can become air-
borne. Use boat only for appropriate water
sports. (See Preface for actual warning label.)
Water skiing, kneeboarding, or riding a towed, inflat-
able apparatus are some of the more popular water
sports. Taking part in any water sport requires increased
safety awareness by the participant and the boat op-
erator. If you have never pulled someone behind your
boat before, it is a good idea to spend some hours as
an observer, working with and learning from an experi-
enced driver. It is also important to be aware of the
skill and experience of the person being pulled. Al-
ways have a second person 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.
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2. Always wear a personal floatation device (PFD)
approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Wearing a prop-
erly designed PFD helps a stunned or unconscious
person stay afloat.
3. Be considerate of others you share the water with.
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 B13). Do not swim alone or at
night.
Figure B13: Swim Area Buoy
Rotating Propeller!
Rotating propeller can cut or sever causing se-
rious injury or death. Shut engine off and re-
move ignition key when anyone is swimming
nearby. (See Section B-3D.)
Section B
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