Precision Pilot Modes; Skyhook Station Keeping (If Equipped) - Mercury Axius System User Manual

Section 2 - On the Water
If you press a button that has the power icon
sounds, and the "ACTIVE" light illuminates, unless another mode is currently active. If another mode is currently active, press the
button on the active mode to disengage it, then press the button for the new mode.
If you press a button with the power icon
and the "ACTIVE" light illuminates.

Precision Pilot Modes

In some Precision Pilot modes—"Auto Heading," "Track Waypoint," and "Waypoint Sequence"—the boat navigates a preset
course. The boat does not automatically respond to hazards such as other watercraft, obstacles, swimmers, or underwater
terrain. Collision with these hazards could cause boat damage, serious injury, or death. The operator must stay at the helm,
ready to evade hazards and warn others of course changes.
Avoid injury from unexpected turns at high speeds. Engaging the Track Waypoint or Waypoint Sequence feature while on plane
can cause the boat to turn sharply. Confirm the direction of the next waypoint before engaging these autopilot features. When
underway in Waypoint Sequence mode, be prepared to take appropriate action when reaching a waypoint.
Axius Premier contains several modes that can steer your vessel to a specific compass heading, or to destinations generated
from a chartplotter and GPS unit. If using a device to generate course information, you must be very familiar with the operation of
that chartplotter and GPS unit before attempting to use Precision Pilot to steer your vessel. Precision Pilot does not control speed,
only direction, and it can not sense hazards to navigation. These automatic modes do not relieve the operator of the responsibility
to stay at the helm and keep a vigilant lookout for other vessels, persons in the water, or hazards to navigation.
If using Precision Pilot, a chartplotter, and a GPS unit to navigate along a series of waypoints (a route), be aware that the boat
will not travel to the precise location of the waypoint before initiating a turn to the next waypoint. Your chart plotter establishes a
zone around the point called an arrival circle, and the Precision Pilot system will announce arrival at the waypoint when the boat
enters that zone.

Skyhook Station Keeping (If Equipped)

The vessel may be equipped with the Skyhook Station Keeping feature. This system utilizes global positioning system technology
(GPS) and an electronic compass to automatically control shifting, throttling, and steering to maintain heading and approximate
position. This feature can be helpful when waiting for space near a fuel dock, waiting for bridges to open, or when the water is too
deep for an anchor.
Skyhook does not maintain an exact fixed position, but rather will hold the vessel in a fixed compass heading within an area. The
size of this area is affected by the accuracy of the GPS satellite system, the satellite signal quality, the physical position of the
satellites relative to the receiver, solar flares and the proximity of the receiver on the vessel to large structures and trees.
Under typical operating conditions Skyhook is capable of holding the vessel within a radius of 10 meters (30 feet). However this
distance may sometimes increase to a radius of 30 meters (100 feet). Do not engage Skyhook when the vessel is within 30 meters
(100 foot) of any obstacle, obstruction, dock, bridge, vessel, swimmer, etc.
While in Skyhook, it is essential the captain remain at the helm prepared to take control of the vessel due to changing conditions
such as:
• A swimmer or another vessel approaches your vessel.
• Skyhook loses the satellite signal and automatically disengages.
• The size of the area in which the vessel is being held increases.
Before engaging Skyhook, the captain should brief all passengers on how Skyhook operates. Direct them to stay out of the water,
not to sit or stand where they could fall overboard, and to be alert for any sudden shifts in the vessel's position. Occasionally the
Skyhook system may apply a brief surge in power to hold a position. If passengers are not prepared for this occurrence they may
lose their balance and fall.
A rotating propeller, a moving boat, or a device attached to a moving boat can cause serious injury or death to people in the
water. When Skyhook is engaged, the propellers rotate and the boat moves to maintain the position of the boat. Stop the engines
immediately whenever anyone is in the water near the boat.
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when that button light is off, the light turns on for that button, a single beep
when that button light is off, the light turns on for that button, a single beep sounds,
WARNING
!
CAUTION
!
WARNING
!
CMD-4082082 / 90-8M0052072 FEBRUARY 2011
eng