Protecting People In The Water; Exhaust Emissions - Mercury 4 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).
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.

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 any time you are boating in an area where there might be people
in the water.
Whenever a boat is moving (coasting) and the outboard gear shift is in neutral position, there is sufficient force by
the water on the propeller to cause the propeller to rotate. This neutral propeller rotation can cause serious injury.
WHILE BOAT IS STATIONARY
Stop your engine immediately whenever anyone in the water is near your boat. Serious injury to the person in
the water is likely if contacted by a rotating propeller, a moving boat, a moving gearcase, or any solid device
rigidly attached to a moving boat or gearcase.
Shift outboard into neutral and shut off the engine before allowing people to swim or be in the water near your boat.

Exhaust Emissions

BE ALERT TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Carbon monoxide is present in the exhaust fumes of all internal combustion engines. This includes the outboards,
sterndrives and inboard engines that propel boats, as well as the generators that power various boat accessories.
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless.
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning which should not be confused with seasickness or intoxication,
include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea.
GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING
!
WARNING
!
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