Protecting People In The Water; High-Speed And High-Performance Boat Operation - Mercury Bravo Three Operation & Maintenance Manual

CA282

Protecting People In The Water

While You Are Cruising
It is very difficult for a person standing or floating in the water to take
quick action to avoid a boat heading in his/her direction even at slow
speed.
Always slow down and exercise extreme caution any time you are
boating in an area where there might be people in the water.
Whenever a boat is moving (coasting) and the drive unit is in neutral
position, there is sufficient force by the water on the propeller to
cause the propeller to rotate. This neutral propeller rotation can
cause serious injury.
While Boat Is Stationary
Shift the drive unit into neutral and shut off the engine before allowing
people to swim or be in the water near your boat.
! WARNING
Stop your engine immediately whenever anyone in the water is
near your boat. Serious injury to the person in the water is likely
if contacted by a rotating propeller, a moving boat, a moving
gear case, or any solid device rigidly attached to a moving boat
or gear case.
CA283
High-Speed And High-Performance
Boat Operation
If your boat is considered a high-speed or high-performance boat
with which you are unfamiliar, we recommend that you never operate
it at its high speed capability without first requesting an initial orienta-
tion and familiarization demonstration ride with your dealer or an op-
erator experienced with your boat. For additional information, obtain
a copy of our "Hi-Performance Boat Operation" booklet (Part Number
90-86168--3) from your dealer, distributor, or Mercury Marine.
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