Table of Contents
Advertisement
I.
Safe Boating Courses
The local US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US
Power Squadrons offer comprehensive safe boating
classes several times a year. You may contact the
Boat/U.S. Foundation at 1-800-336-BOAT (2628) for
a course scheduled in your area. Also contact the US
Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron Flotilla for
the time and place of their next scheduled class.
B - 4
WATER SPORTS
PERSONAL INJURY
Four Winns
boats are not designed for and
®
should not be used for pulling parasails, kites,
gliders or any device which can become
airborne. Use boat only for appropriate water
sports. (See Preface for actual warning label).
Water skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, or riding
a towed, inflatable apparatus are some of the more
popular water sports. Taking part in any water sport
requires increased safety awareness by the partici-
pant and the boat operator. If you have never pulled
someone behind your boat before, it is a good idea to
spend some hours as an observer, working with and
learning from an experienced driver. It is also impor-
tant to be aware of the skill and experience of the
person being pulled. Always have a second person on
board to observe the person in the water so the driver
can concentrate on operating the boat.
A. Water Sport Guidelines
Everyone participating in a water sport should observe
these guidelines:
1. Allow only capable swimmers to take part in any
water sport.
2. Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD)
approved by the US Coast Guard. Wearing a
properly designed PFD helps a stunned or uncon-
scious person stay afloat.
3. Be considerate of others with whom you share
the water.
4. Give immediate attention to a person who has
fallen. He or she is vulnerable in the water alone
and may not be seen by other boaters.
Boating Safety - Section B
5. Approach a person in the water from the lee side
(opposite the direction of the wind). Turn off the
motor at least a boat length from the person.
6. Turn engine off and anchor before swimming.
7. Always participate in water sports in safe areas.
Stay away from other boats, beaches, restricted
areas, swimmers and heavily traveled waterways.
8. Swim only in areas designated as safe for swim-
ming. These are usually marked with a swim area
buoy (see Figure B15). Do not swim alone or at
night.
Figure B15: Swim Area Buoy
Rotating Propeller!
Rotating propeller can cut or sever causing
serious injury or death. Shut engine off and
remove ignition key when anyone is swimming
nearby. (See Section B-3D).
9. Do not allow anyone near the propeller(s), even
when the engine is off. Propeller blades are sharp
and can continue to turn even after the engine is
off. Stay at least 150 feet away from areas marked
by diver down float. See Figure B16.
Figure B16: Diver Down Float
10. Do not drive the boat directly behind a water skier.
At 25 miles per hour, the boat will overtake a
fallen skier who was 200 feet in front in about
5 seconds.
Owner's Manual Page 36
Advertisement
Table of Contents
