Stopping The Boat In An Emergency; Protecting People In The Water - Mercury jet 20 Manual

We strongly recommend that other occupants be instructed on proper starting and operating procedures should
they be required to operate the engine in an emergency (e.g. if the operator is accidentally ejected).
Should the operator fall out of the boat, the possibility of serious injury or death from being run over by the
boat can be greatly reduced by stopping the engine immediately. Always properly connect both ends of the
stop switch lanyard to the stop switch and the operator.
Avoid serious injury or death from deceleration forces resulting from accidental or unintended stop switch
activation. The boat operator should never leave the operator's station without first disconnecting the stop
switch lanyard from the operator.
Accidental or unintended activation of the switch during normal operation is also a possibility. This could cause
any, or all, of the following potentially hazardous situations:
• Occupants could be thrown forward due to unexpected loss of forward motion ‑ a particular concern for
passengers in the front of the boat who could be ejected over the bow and possibly struck by the jet drive.
• Loss of power and directional control in heavy seas, strong current or high winds.
• Loss of control when docking.

Stopping the Boat in an Emergency

A jet powered boat has emergency stopping capability unique to this form of propulsion.
Using the emergency stopping capability of the jet drive will slow down the boat in an emergency. However,
sudden stopping may cause the occupants in the boat to be thrown forward or even out of the boat. This
action may result in serious injury or death.
In an emergency, putting the jet outboard into reverse and applying reverse throttle can rapidly slow down the
boat and reduce stopping distance. However, such a maneuver may cause occupants in the boat to be thrown
forward or possibly out of the boat.

Protecting People In The Water

WHILE YOU ARE CRUISING
It is very difficult for a person standing or floating in the water to take quick action to avoid a boat heading in his/
her direction, even at slow speed.
Always slow down and exercise extreme caution when boating in an area where there might be people in the
water.
Avoid shallow water or where any loose material such as sand, shells, seaweed, grass, tree branches, etc., can
be pulled in and expelled from the pump as a high speed projectile.
GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING
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WARNING
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WARNING
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