Impact With Underwater Hazards - Mercury 496 MAG Bravo Owner's Manual

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Reduce speed and proceed with caution whenever you're driving a boat in shallow water areas or in areas where
the waters are suspected of having underwater obstacles that could be struck by the sterndrive or the boat bot-
tom. The most important thing you can do to help reduce injury or impact damage from striking a floating
or underwater object is control the boat speed. Under these conditions, boat speed should be kept to
a minimum planing speed of 15 to 25 mph (24 to 40 km/h).
Striking a floating/underwater object may result in an infinite number of situations. Some of these situations could
result in the following:
•
The boat could move suddenly in a new direction. Such a sharp change in direction or turn can cause occu-
pants 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, even out of the boat.
•
Impact damage to the sterndrive and/or boat.
Keep in mind, one of the most important things you can do to help reduce injury or impact damage in these situa-
tions is control the boat speed. Boat speed should be kept to a minimum planing speed when driving in waters
known to have underwater obstacles.
After striking a submerged object, stop engine as soon as possible and inspect the sterndrive unit for any broken
or loose parts. If damage is present or suspected, the power package should be taken to an authorized dealer
for a thorough inspection and necessary repair.
The boat should also be checked for any hull fractures, transom fractures, water leaks.
Operating a damaged sterndrive could cause additional damage to other parts of the power package, or could
affect control of the boat. If continued running is necessary, do so at greatly reduced speeds.
Avoid serious injury or death from loss of boat control. Continued boating with major impact damage
can result in sudden component failure with or without subsequent impacts. Have the power package
thoroughly inspected and any necessary repairs made.

Impact With Underwater Hazards

WARNING
INDEX
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