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Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be deadly.
Alcohol and/or drug use is the leading contributing factor to all
recreational boating fatalities. Alcohol and drugs can increase your
reaction time and impair your judgment. Combined with the sun,
wind, waves, and noise of other watercraft, the effects of drugs and
alcohol can be increased and can significantly increase your reaction
time. As the owner/operator, you are responsible for the alcohol/
drug use and onboard behavior of your passengers. Additionally,
civil lawsuits in cases of property damage or injury/death to others
can result in significantly higher verdicts when alcohol or drugs are
allowed.
a boat under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. If
the operator's blood alcohol content is above the legal
limit, violators are subject to fines and may go to jail.
Violators may also lose automobile driving privileges.
Product Misuse
Misuse of the product or use of it in a manner for which it was
never intended can create dangerous situations. The boat operator
and passengers are responsible for using the product safely and as
intended. The driver must operate the boat in a manner that ensures
the safety of all passengers. If you or your passengers are unsure
about the proper use of the product, unsure about performing certain
boating maneuvers or are unsure about a particular water activity, refer
to this owner's manual or contact a knowledgeable source, such as
your local dealer, the US Coast Guard, or your local boating authority.
Reporting Accidents
Boat operators may be required by law to file a Boating Accident
report with their state boating law enforcement agency or local
authority, the USCG, or their country's boating law enforcement
agency when their boat is involved in certain boating accidents. A
boating accident must be reported if there is a loss or probable loss
of life or a personal injury requiring medical attention beyond first
aid. In these situations, a formal report must generally be filed within
48 hours of the accident. Also a boating accident must be reported
for accidents when damage exceeding $500 is incurred, or there is
a complete loss of the boat. In these situations, a formal report must
generally be filed within 10 days. If any of these events occur, seek
further assistance from local law enforcement personnel. Please note
that the submittal of a report is the responsibility of the boat owner.
This requirement is different than laws associated with the reporting
of automobile accidents.
2019 Malibu Boats, LLC Owner's Manual • Page 17
Impaired operation may
result in severe personal
injury or death. Federal and
state laws prohibit operating
https://www.boat-manuals.com/
Rendering Assistance
If you see a distress signal or suspect a boat is in trouble,
you must assume it is a real emergency and render assistance
immediately. By law, the operator in charge of the craft is obligated to
provide assistance to any individual in danger, presuming assistance
can be safely provided. Failure to render assistance can result in a
fine and/or imprisonment.
The 1971 Boating Safety Act grants protection to a "Good
Samaritan" boater providing good faith assistance, and absolves a
boater from any civil liability arising from such assistance.
Hazardous Conditions
Every waterway poses hazards that should be avoided. You will
be best prepared to avoid these hazards if you are familiar with the
waterway where you are boating. Whenever possible familiarize
yourself with navigation charts, depth charts, and waterway maps
before you go boating. The following information outlines some of the
most common hazards which may be encountered:
Shallow Water Operation
Shallow water brings on obvious hazards such as sand bars,
stumps, rocks, etc. Know the area in which you will be operating the
boat. Grounding the vessel or striking submerged objects can result
in serious injury or death and can cause severe damage to your
watercraft. At high speed, this can cause rapid deceleration or stop
your boat abruptly, which may cause occupants to impact the interior
of the boat or be ejected. Stick to deeper water whenever possible,
and if you must travel in shallow water, proceed at low speed and
post a lookout.
Know the minimal depth your boat can safely travel.
Warning Markers
Learn to recognize the different buoys and day markers; they are
used as the signposts of the waterways identifying navigable routes
and water hazards. It is a good idea to ask local authorities about
hazard areas and if they are marked. Stay within boundaries and
clear of hazards.
Weeds
Weeds can generally be a threat to a boat's engine and other
components on the boat. If weeds wrap around the propeller, they
can create vibration in the engine. They also can restrict water
intakes or clog the water filter, causing the engine to overheat. Learn
to recognize the typical normal operating temperature range for
your engine. If temperature rises high above normal, then check for
blockage of the engine cooling water system.
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