Mercury 200 Sport-Jet Operation & Maintenance Manual page 29

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 otherwise moves away 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 waters or where there are many
obstacles, releasing your grip on a steering wheel or tiller handle that is pulling
in one direction, drinking alcohol or consuming drugs, or performing 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 shutdown. 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.
Always instruct other occupants on proper starting and operating procedures
should they be required to operate the engine in an emergency (if the operator
is accidentally ejected).
Avoid serious injury or death resulting from being struck by an uncontrolled
boat. Failure to use the lanyard safety device substantially increases the risk
of being struck by an uncontrolled boat should you, as operator, be ejected.
As operator, always use the lanyard stop switch, which will automatically
disable the engines in the case of ejection or being thrown from the operator
position.
Avoid serious injury or death from sudden deceleration forces resulting from
accidental or unintended switch activation. The lanyard switch is designed to
quickly stop the boat when activated. Be cautious of accidental lanyard
switch activation.
Accidental or unintended activation of the switch during normal operation is a
possibility. This could cause any, or all, of the following potentially hazardous
situations:
• Occupants thrown forward due to the 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 jet drive.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING
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WARNING
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