Recommended Equipment; Emergency Considerations - Formula Fastech Service Manual

RECOMMENDED
EQUIPMENT
In spite of all efforts to the contrary, problems or
mishaps sometime occur while boating. Stock
these items listed below on your boat to help
make unexpected events more manageable.
Sea anchor and anchor line
Life raft
Tow line
Mooring lines and fenders
Compass
First aid kit and manual
Day/night distress signals
Radar reflector
Flashlight and spare batteries
Cellular phone
Binoculars
Portable AM/FM radio with weather band
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
(EPIRB)
Engine, drive unit and trim tab lubricant
Tool kit
Spare propeller and mounting hardware
Spare fuses and bulbs
Boat hook
Spare keys
Sun glasses and sun block lotion
Bottled water
Sea Anchors
You should have a separate sea anchor
onboard to slow drifting. In heavy seas, a sea
anchor is set from the bow to control the boat's
behavior. The sea anchor holds the bow to the
sea and a slow drift. Please consult your
Formula dealer for sea anchor
recommendations.
Life Raft
If operating offshore, you should consider
carrying an inflatable life raft. A USCG approved
life raft meets a number of stringent
specifications. The life raft must be large enough
to hold all the boat's occupants and have its own
equipment pack including a paddle.
FORMULA
BOATING SAFETY
EMERGENCY
CONSIDERATIONS
Be prepared to deal with emergencies before
they happen. Try to formulate a plan for each
type in advance so that decisions can be made
quickly and without hesitation. Precious
moments lost can mean the difference between
losing and saving a life.
Fire/Explosion
You must be prepared and act quickly when
dealing with a fire. It is not recommended to
battle a fire for an extended period of time. Turn
engines off and abandon the boat if the fire
cannot be extinguished quickly. Swim at least 25
yards (23 meters) upwind from the boat and use
the visual distress signals to get assistance.
!
Gasoline will float on top of water and can
burn. If the boat is abandoned, swim up
wind, far enough to avoid fuel that may
spread over the surface of the water.
Onboard fires involving the fuel system usually
result in either an explosion that completely
destroys the boat, or the boat burning to the
waterline and self-extinguishing. Deciding on
abandoning the boat or staying to fight the fire is
difficult and depends on many factors. Try to
formulate a fire plan in advance to make that
decision quickly and without hesitation.
Be sure to:
Use caution and do not smoke when
refueling.
Verify that fuel does not leak.
Use only marine approved equipment on
your boat.
FASTECH
WARNING
2-5