Mercury 200 OptiMax DTS Manual page 18

The lanyard is a cord usually between 122 and 152 cm (4 and 5 feet) in length when stretched out, with
an element on one end made to be inserted into the switch and a snap on the other end for attaching to
the operator. The lanyard is coiled to make its at-rest condition as short as possible to minimize the
likelihood of lanyard entanglement with nearby objects. Its stretched-out length is made to minimize the
likelihood of accidental activation should the operator choose to move around in an area close to the
normal operator's position. If it is desired to have a shorter lanyard, wrap the lanyard around the
operator's wrist or leg, or tie a knot in the lanyard.
a
a - Lanyard cord
Read the following Safety Information before proceeding.
Important Safety Information: The purpose of a lanyard stop switch is to stop the engine when the
operator moves far enough away from the operator's position to activate the switch. This would occur if
the operator accidentally falls overboard or moves within the boat a sufficient distance from the operator's
position. Falling overboard and accidental ejections are more likely to occur in certain types of boats
such as low sided inflatables, bass boats, high performance boats, and light, sensitive handling fishing
boats operated by a hand tiller. Falling overboard and accidental ejections are also likely to occur as a
result of poor operating practices such as sitting on the back of the seat or gunwale at planing speeds,
standing at planing speeds, sitting on elevated fishing boat decks, operating at planing speeds in shallow
or obstacle infested waters, releasing your grip on a steering wheel or tiller handle that is pulling in one
direction, drinking alcohol or consuming drugs, or daring high speed boat maneuvers.
While activation of the lanyard stop switch will stop the engine immediately, a boat will continue to coast
for some distance depending upon the velocity and degree of any turn at shut down. However, the boat
will not complete a full circle. While the boat is coasting, it can cause injury to anyone in the boat's path
as seriously as the boat would when under power.
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 gearcase or propeller.
• Loss of power and directional control in heavy seas, strong current or high winds.
• Loss of control when docking.
GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING
!
WARNING
!
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b - Lanyard stop switch
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