Impact With Underwater Hazards - Mercury 540 Bravo Manual

Impact With Underwater Hazards

IMPORTANT: Operating in shallow waters can severely damage the boat or
power package. Maintain a minimum safe speed when operating the vessel in
shallow waters or in areas with underwater obstacles.
Reduce speed and proceed with caution whenever you drive a boat in shallow
water areas, or in areas where you suspect underwater obstacles may exist
which could be struck by the sterndrive or the boat bottom. The most important
thing you can do to help reduce injury or impact damage from striking a floating
or underwater object is to control the boat speed. Under these conditions, boat
speed should be kept to a minimum planing speed 24 to 40 km/h
(15 to 25 MPH).
Striking a floating or underwater object could result in an infinite number of
situations. Some of these situations could result in the following:
• Part of the sterndrive or the entire sterndrive could break loose and cause
serious injury or damage to the boat.
• The boat could move suddenly in a new direction. Such a sharp change in
direction can cause occupants to be thrown out of their seats or out of the
boat.
• A rapid reduction in speed. This will cause occupants to be thrown
forward, or even out of the boat.
• Impact damage to the sterndrive and/or boat.
Keep in mind, the most important thing you can do to help reduce injury or
impact damage during an impact is control the boat speed. Boat speed should
be kept to a minimum planing speed when driving in waters known to have
underwater obstacles.
Operating a boat or engine with impact damage can result in product
damage, serious injury, or death. If the vessel experiences any form of
impact, have an authorized Mercury Marine dealer inspect and repair the
vessel or power package.
After striking a submerged object, stop the engine as soon as possible and
inspect it for any broken or loose parts. If damage is present or suspected, the
sterndrive should be taken to an authorized dealer for a thorough inspection
and necessary repair.
GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING
!
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