Skyhook Station Keeping - Mercury VesselView Manual

Press the "WAYPOINT SEQUENCE" button to acknowledge that it is safe to automatically turn the boat and maneuver to the
new course. If the waypoint is not acknowledged, the boat continues on its current heading. If you are not in a set waypoint
arrival zone, the waypoint sequencing mode starts auto sequencing to the waypoints in the route. Acknowledge that you
understand the information presented by the pop‑up screen warning and press the check button. At the end of the track
waypoint route, you must input a new route or take control of the boat. Otherwise the boat reverts to auto heading mode and
continues on its last course heading.

Skyhook Station Keeping

The vessel may be equipped with the "Skyhook Station Keeping" feature. This system utilizes global positioning system (GPS)
technology and an electronic compass to automatically control shifting, throttling, and steering to maintain heading and
approximate position. This feature can be helpful when waiting for a space near a fuel dock, waiting for bridges to open, or
when the water is too deep for an anchor.
Skyhook does not maintain an exact fixed position, but rather will hold the vessel in a fixed compass heading within an area.
The size of this area is affected by the accuracy of the GPS satellite system, the satellite signal quality, the physical position of
the satellites relative to the receiver, solar flares, and the proximity of the receiver on the boat to large structures and trees.
Under typical operating conditions Skyhook is capable of holding the vessel within a radius of 10 meters (30 feet). However,
this distance may increase to a radius of 30 meters (100 feet). Do not engage Skyhook when the vessel is within 30 meters
(100 feet) of any obstacle, obstruction, dock, bridge, vessel, swimmer, etc.
While in Skyhook, it is essential the captain remain at the helm prepared to take control of the vessel due to changing
conditions such as:
• A swimmer or another vessel approaches the vessel
• Skyhook satellite signal is lost and automatically disengages
• The size of the area which the vessel is being held in increases
Before engaging Skyhook, the captain should brief all passengers on how Skyhook operates. Direct them to stay out of the
water, not to sit or stand where they could fall overboard, and to be alert for any sudden shifts in the vessel's position.
Occasionally, the Skyhook system may apply a brief surge in power to hold a position. If passengers are not prepared for this
occurrence they may loose their balance and fall.
A rotating propeller, a moving boat, or a device attached to a moving boat can cause serious injury or death to people in the
water. When Skyhook is engaged, the propellers rotate and the boat moves to maintain the position of the boat. Stop the
engines immediately whenever anyone is in the water near the boat.
Skyhook will not engage unless the joystick and control levers are in neutral. When Skyhook is engaged, the propellers turn
but, the rotation may not be obvious. Ensure that no one is in the water near the vessel within 30 meters (100 feet) and the
passengers are secure when the engines are running.
When Skyhook is engaged the captain must:
• Remain at the helm
• Watch closely for anyone in the water near the vessel
• Disengage Skyhook if anyone enters the water or approaches the vessel from the water
90-8M0070299 MAY 2012
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Section 7 - Environment and Navigation Menu
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