Mercury Bravo Three Operation & Maintenance Manual page 9

ADVANTAGES: The purpose of a lanyard stop switch is to stop
the engine ignition whenever the operator (when attached to the
lanyard) moves far enough away from the operator's position to
activate the switch. This would occur if the operator falls or
moves within the boat a sufficient distance from the operator's
position. This type of accident is most likely in certain types of
boats such as low-sided boats, and high-performance boats,
It is also likely as a result of poor operating practices such as
sitting on the back of the seat at planing speeds, standing at
planing speeds, operating at high speeds in shallow or ob-
stacle-infested waters, releasing your grip on a steering wheel
that is pulling in one direction, drinking and driving, or daring,
high-speed boat maneuvers.
DISADVANTAGES: Inadvertent activation of the switch is also
a possibility. This could cause any, or all, of the following poten-
tially hazardous situations:
1. Loss of balance and falling forward of unstable boat passen-
gers - a particular concern in bow rider type boats.
2. Loss of power and directional control in heavy seas, strong
current or high winds.
3. Loss of control when docking.
While activation of the lanyard stop switch will result in immedi-
ate power shut-down, a boat can continue to coast for some dis-
tance 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.
As we cannot possibly know of and advise the boating public
of all conceivable boat/motor types and/or poor operating prac-
tices, the final decision of whether to use a lanyard stop switch
rests with you, the owner/driver.
We strongly recommend that other occupants be instructed on
proper starting and operating procedures should they be re-
quired to operate the engine and boat in an emergency.
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