Regal LS4 Owner's Manual page 37

Boating Accidents
The following is a list of common causes of boat-
ing accidents. Be aware of them and take the nec-
essary steps to ensure that yourself and crew are
educated and prepared to act in an emergency.
1. Mixing boating and alcohol. Remember, the
skipper is responsible for his crew, passengers
and vessel.
2. Trying to reach the bow by the deck walk-around
at unsafe speeds. Use the center walk-through.
3. Someone sitting on the bow, deck, or swim plat-
form while underway.
4. Choosing a boating outing day with inclement
weather, especially in high winds and thunder-
storms in the forecast or staying out when bad
weather is approaching.
5. Disembarking without checking all the fl uids or
systems, and especially fuel system compo-
nents.
6. Not monitoring the boating traffi c or possible
obstructions around you.
7. Emergency communications equipment, signal-
ing devices, and navigation lights not working.
8. Improper boat handling especially high speed
turns in rough water. Using trim improperly.
9. Being too far from shore with inadequate fuel
supply or navigational aids.
10. Passengers, especially children that are not
wearing the proper life saving devices.
11. Skipper or passengers not seated in the boat.
Reporting Boating Accidents:
According to the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971
involving collision, accident or other casualty, the
operator must make a formal report within 48
hours to the nearest state boating authority when
the incident involves:
1. Death
2. Injury requiring treatment other than fi rst aid
3. The disappearance of someone from a boat
under death or injury circumstances.
A formal report must be made within 10 days for
accidents involving more than $2000 damage or
complete loss of vessel.
For information regarding accident reporting,
please call the Boating Safety Hot-line at:
800-368-5647.
If there is no state provision for reporting boating
accidents a report must be made to the Coast
Guard offi cer in charge, Marine Inspection Unit
nearest to the accident site or USCG station.
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