Emergency Procedures - Skier's Choice Supra Instruction Manual

Reprinted from "Fishing and Skiing Boats Owner's Manual" with permission
from the NMMA.
The time to think about emergencies is before they happen.
Plan ahead. Know what to do before you encounter any of
these situations. Wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) when
boating.
Explosion & Fire
EXPLOSION/FIRE/ASPHYXIATION HAZARD
• Open flame cooking appliances consume oxygen. This can
cause asphyxiation or death.
• Maintain open ventilation.
• Liquid fuel may ignite, causing severe burns.
• Use fuel appropriate for type of stove.
• Turn off stove burner before filling.
• Do not use stove for comfort heating.
FIRE/ASPHYXIATION HAZARD - Use special care with flames or
high temperatures near urethane foam, if used in construction
of your boat. Burning, welding, lights, cigarettes, space heaters
and the like can ignite urethane foam. Once ignited, it burns
rapidly, producing extreme heat, releasing hazardous gases and
consuming much oxygen.
Explosion
• If explosion is imminent, put on PFDs, grab distress signals
and survival gear, and immediately abandon ship.
Fire
• Turn off engines, generators, stoves and blowers. Extinguish
smoking materials.
• Fixed fire suppression system, if equipped, has heat
sensors that automatically flood machinery space with
a fire extinguishant. Allow extinguishant to "soak"
compartment for at least 15 minutes to cool hot metals or
fuel before cautiously inspecting fire area. Have portable
fire extinguishers ready. Do not breathe fumes or vapors
caused by the fire or extinguishant.
• If no fixed firefighting system is installed and fire is in engine
compartment, discharge portable fire extinguishers through
engine compartment access plate, if equipped. Do not open
engine hatch as this feeds oxygen to the fire.
• If you have access to fire, direct contents of extinguishers at
base of flames, not at the top.
• Throw burning materials overboard if possible.
• Move anyone not needed for firefighting operations away
from the flames.
• Signal for help.
• Put on PFDs, grab distress signals and survival gear, and
prepare to abandon ship.
© 2008 Skier's Choice, Inc. © 2008 Skier's Choice, Inc.
Abandoning Ship
BURN HAZARD
Swim against the current or wind if you abandon ship. Leaking
fuel will float with the current and may ignite.
• When clear of danger, account for all who were on board,
and help those in need.
• Use distress signal.
• Keep everyone together to make rescue easier.
Flooding, Swamping or Capsizing
• STAY WITH THE BOAT! A boat will usually float even if there
is major hull damage. Rescuers can spot a boat much easier
than a head bobbing in the water.
• Signal for help.
Collision
• Account for everyone on board.
• Check for injuries.
• Inspect structural damage.
• Reduce flooding.
• Signal for help.
• STAY WITH THE BOAT!
Grounding
Action depends on how hard the boat hits bottom and whether
the boat remains stranded. If it is a simple touch, you may need
only to inspect the hull. If you are aground, assess the situation
before reacting. In some cases, throwing the boat into reverse
can cause more damage.
Basic Guidelines
• Inspect damage to hull, propulsion and steering systems.
• Check for leaks. If water is coming in, stopping the flow takes
priority over getting free.
• Determine water depth all around the boat and type of
bottom (sand, mud, rocks, etc.). This will help you decide
which way to move the boat.
• Determine if tide, wind or current will drive the boat harder
aground or will help free it.
Section 3

Emergency Procedures

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