Mercury Jet 20 Manual page 36

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GENERAL INFORMATION
Safe Boating Suggestions (Continued)
Watch for boat creeping in neutral. When the jet drive is in neutral, the drive
impeller continues to rotate. Although the approximate balancing of forward and
reverse thrust will minimize boat movement, the boat may tend to creep slowly
forward or backward. This is normal for a direct-drive jet-driven boat. The operator
should be aware of this and use caution whenever the engine is running.
Never drive your boat directly behind a water skier in case the skier falls. As
an example, your boat traveling at 25 miles per hour (40 km/hr) in 5 seconds will
overtake a fallen skier who was 200 feet (61m) in front of you.
Watch fallen skiers. When using your boat for water skiing or similar activities,
always keep a fallen or down skier on the operator's side of the boat while returning
to attend the skier. The operator should always have the down skier in sight and
never back up to the skier or anyone in the water.
Report accidents. Boat operators are required by law to file a Boating Accident
Report with their state boating law enforcement agency when their boat is involved
in certain boating accidents. A boating accident must be reported if (1) there is loss
of life or probable loss of life, (2) there is personal injury requiring medical treatment
beyond first aid, (3) there is damage to boats or other property where the damage
value exceeds $500.00 or (4) there is complete loss of the boat. Seek further
assistance from local law enforcement.
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