Mercury 200 Verado Manual page 102

Never start or operate your outboard (even momentarily) without
water circulating through all the cooling water intake holes in the
gearcase to prevent damage to the water pump (running dry) or
overheating of the engine.
1. Make sure the cooling water intake is submerged.
2. Check the engine oil level.
3. Open fuel tank vent on manual venting type tanks.
NOTE: The engine will not start unless the lanyard is set to the
"RUN" position.
OPERATION
CAUTION
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