Boat Trips; Daily Checks - Volvo Penta D12 Operator's Manual

Safety information
Safety advice for boat operation
Your new boat
Read the instruction books and other information
carefully, which came with your new boat. Learn to
handle the engine, controls and other equipment in a
safe and correct manner.
If this is your first boat, or a type of boat you are not
experienced in using, we recommend that you practi-
ce operating the boat in peace and quiet. Get to know
the way the boat reacts to sea and to the controls
under different speed, sea and loading conditions be-
fore you cast off for your first "real" maiden voyage.
Remember that the captain of every boat is required
by law to know and to observe applicable rules for
traffic and safety at sea. Get to know the rules which
apply to you and your waters, by contacting the rele-
vant authority or sea safety organisation.
It is a good idea to go on some kind of boat operation
course. We recommend that you contact a regional
boat or sea safety organisation to find a suitable course.
Accidents and near misses
Life saving statistics show that inadequate care of
boats and engines, and deficiencies in safety equip-
ment are frequent causes of accidents and near misses
at sea.
Make sure that your boat and engine are maintained
in accordance with the advice in each instruction
book, and that the necessary safety equipment is on
board, and is in working condition.

Daily checks

Make it a habit to give the engine and engine bay
a visual check before driving (before starting the
engine) and after operation (when you have stop-
ped the engine). This helps you to quickly discover
whether any leakage of fuel, coolant, oil or any other
abnormal event has happened, or is about to happen.
4
Manoeuvring
Avoid sudden or surprising rudder movements and
gear shifting. There is a risk that passengers could
fall over, or overboard.
A rotating propeller can cause severe injury. Check
that there is nobody in the water before you engage
forward / astern (reverse) drive. Never drive close to
bathers or in areas where you could reasonably ex-
pect that people could be in the water.
Fuel filling
There is always a risk of fire and explosion during
fuel filling. Smoking is not permissible, and the engi-
ne should be stopped.
Never over-fill the tank.
Shut the tank cap securely. Only use the fuel recom-
mended in the instruction book. The wrong grade of
fuel can cause malfunctions or stop the engine. In a
diesel engine, it can also cause the regulation rod to
bind and the engine will over-rev, entailing a strong
risk of personal injury and machinery damage.
Do not start the engine.
Do not start the engine if you suspect a fuel or LPG
leak in the boat, close to explosive media, or if there
is a spillage of explosive media. An explosive envi-
ronment entails a risk of fire and/or explosion.