Lanyard Stop Switch Information - Mercury MerCruiser Product Applications Manual

Instrumentation and Controls

Lanyard Stop Switch Information

Avoid abrupt deceleration of the boat from lanyard stop switch activation. Boat damage
and personal injury or death could occur. Never leave the operator's station with the
engine operating and in gear.
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The purpose of a lanyard stop switch is to turn off the engine when the operator moves
outside the operator's position (as in accidental ejection from the operator's position).
Accidental ejections, such as falling overboard, are more likely to occur in:
• low sided sport boats.
• bass boats.
• high-performance boats.
Accidental ejections can also occur from:
• following poor operating practices.
• sitting on the seat or gunwale at planing speeds.
• standing at planing speeds.
• operating the boat at planing speeds in shallow or obstacle infested waters.
• releasing your grip on the steering wheel while it is pulling in one direction.
• consuming alcohol or drugs.
• maneuvering the boat at high speeds.
Some remote control units are equipped with a lanyard stop switch. If your remote control
is not equipped with a lanyard stop switch, one can be installed on the dashboard or side
adjacent to the operator's position. The lanyard is a cord usually 1.2–1.5 m (4–5 ft.) long
when stretched out with an element on one end made to be inserted into the switch and a
snap on the other end for attaching to the operator. The lanyard is coiled to make it as short
as possible to minimize the likelihood of entanglement with nearby objects. It stretches to
minimize the likelihood of accidental activation should the operator choose to move around
in an area close to the normal operator's position. If it is desired to have a shorter lanyard,
wrap the lanyard around the operator's wrist or leg or tie a knot in the lanyard.
While activation of the lanyard stop switch will stop the engine immediately, the boat will
continue to coast for some distance depending upon the velocity and degree of any turn
at shut-down. However, the boat will not complete a full circle. While the boat is coasting,
it can cause injury to anyone in the boat's path as seriously as the boat would when under
power.
We strongly recommend that other occupants be instructed on proper starting and
operating procedures should they be required to operate the engine in an emergency (e.g.
if the operator is ejected).
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a - Stop switch
b - Lanyard
WARNING
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RUN
c - Clips to operator
90-863758060 AUGUST 2006
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