Yamaha XF375 Owner's Manual page 7

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Passengers
Consult your boat manufacturer's instructions for details
about appropriate passenger locations in your boat and be
sure all passengers are positioned properly before acceler-
ating and when operating above an idle speed. Standing or
sitting in non-designated locations may result in being
thrown either overboard or within the boat due to waves,
wakes, or sudden changes in speed or direction. Even when
people are positioned properly, alert your passengers if you
must make any unusual maneuver. Always avoid jumping
waves or wakes.
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Overloading
Do not overload the boat. Consult the boat capacity plate or
boat manufacturer for maximum weight and number of pas-
sengers. Be sure that weight is properly distributed accord-
ing to the boat manufacturer's instructions. Overloading or
incorrect weight distribution can compromise the boat's
handling and lead to an accident, capsizing or swamping.
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Avoid collisions
Scan constantly for people, objects, and other boats. Be
alert for conditions that limit your visibility or block your vi-
sion of others.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and keep a safe distance
away from people, objects, and other boats.
 Do not follow directly behind other boats or waterskiers.
 Avoid sharp turns or other maneuvers that make it hard for
others to avoid you or understand where you are going.
 Avoid areas with submerged objects or shallow water.
 Ride within your limits and avoid aggressive maneuvers to
reduce the risk of loss of control, ejection, and collision.
 Take early action to avoid collisions. Remember, boats do
not have brakes, and stopping the engine or reducing
throttle can reduce the ability to steer. If you are not sure
that you can stop in time before hitting an obstacle, apply
throttle and turn in another direction.
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Weather
Stay informed about the weather. Check weather forecasts
before boating. Avoid boating in hazardous weather.
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Accident reporting
Boat operators are required by law to file a Boating Accident
Report with their boating law enforcement agency if their
boat is involved in any of the following accidents:
1. There is loss of life or probable loss of life.
2.
3.
4.
Contact local law enforcement personnel if a report is nec-
essary.
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Boat education and training
For U.S.A.
Operators should take a boating safety course. This may be
required in your state. Many of the organizations listed in the
next section can provide information about courses in your
area.
You may also want to consider an Internet-based program
for basic boater education. The Online Boating Safety
Course provided by the BoatU.S. Foundation, is approved
by the National Association of State Boating Law Adminis-
trators (NASBLA) and recognized by the United States Coast
Guard. Most, but not all, states accept this course to meet
their minimum requirements. While it cannot replace an in-
depth course such as one offered by the U.S. Coast Guard,
U.S. Power Squadron, or other organization, this online
course does provide a general overview of the basics in
boating safety, requirements, navigation, and operation.
Upon successful completion of the course, the user can
download a certificate of completion immediately or, for a
small charge, request one by mail. To take this free course,
go to boatus.org.
For Canada
All operators of pleasure craft must illustrate competency by
means of a Pleasure Craft Operators Card with the excep-
tion of Personal Water Craft used for rental purposes which
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require a rental checklist be completed. Pleasure Craft Op-
erators Cards can be obtained following the completion of a
competency course, with an online option. Details can be
found on Transport Canada's website. www.tc.gc.ca
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Passenger training
Make sure at least one other passenger is trained to operate
the boat in the event of an emergency.
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Boating safety publications
Be informed about boating safety. Additional publications
and information can be obtained from many boating organi-
zations.
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Laws and regulations
Know the marine laws and regulations where you will be
boating—and obey them. Several sets of rules prevail ac-
cording to geographic location, but all are basically the same
as the International Rules of the Road. The rules presented
in the following section are condensed—and have been pro-
vided for your convenience only.
Contact the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Association of
State Boating Law Administrators, or your local Power
Squadron for a complete set of rules governing the waters in
which you will be using your boat.
Safety information
There is personal injury that requires medical attention
beyond first aid.
There is property damage to boats or other property
over a certain amount.
There is complete loss of a boat.
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