Monterey Sport Cruiser 260SCR Owner'S Manual Download

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Boating Regulations and Your Responsibilities

Cruiser

3-3

EMERGENCY

ASSISTANCE

If you see a distress signal or suspect a boat is in
trouble, you must assume it is a real emergency
and render assistance immediately. By law, the
operator in charge of the boat is obligated to
provide assistance to any individual in danger if
such assistance can be provided safely. Failure to
render assistance can result in a fine and/or
imprisonment. The 1971 Boating Safety Act
grants protection to a “Good Samaritan” boater
providing good faith assistance, and absolves a
boater from any civil liability arising from such
assistance.

PROTECTING THE

ENVIRONMENT

As a boat owner/operator, you are responsible for
protecting wildlife and the natural environment by
keeping waterways clean. There is currently a
tremendous drain on our natural resources.
Excessive fishing and hunting, as well as
pollution, have strained the fish and game
population. Do your part by keeping only what
you will eat; practice catch-and-release and obey
bag limits.

FISHING

Fishing can be very exciting and distracting for
the operator when the action gets intense. You
must always be conscious of the fact that your
primary responsibility is the safe operation of your
boat and the safety of your passengers and other
boats in the area.

You must always make sure the helm is properly
manned and is never left unattended while
trolling. If your boat is equipped with a tower,
caution and good common sense must be
exercised whenever someone is in the tower.
Remember, weight in the tower raises your boat’s
center of gravity and your boat’s motion is greatly
exaggerated for the person in a tower.

If you are fishing in an area that is crowded with
other fishing boats, it may be difficult to follow the
rules of the road. This situation can become
especially difficult when many boats are trolling.

Being courteous and exercising good common
sense is essential. Avoid trying to assert your
right-of-way and concentrate on staying clear and
preventing tangled or cut lines and other
unpleasant encounters with other boats. Also
keep in mind that fishing line wrapped around a
propeller shaft can damage seals in the engine
lower unit.

FOREIGN SPECIES

TRANSPORTATION

If you trailer your boat from lake to lake, you may
unknowingly introduce a foreign aquatic species
from one lake to the next. Thoroughly clean your
boat below the waterline, remove all weeds and
algae, and drain the bilge and livewells before
launching your boat in a new body of water.

WAKE

As a boat owner/operator, you are responsible for
the wake your boat creates. Regulations may
vary from state to state. Contact your local and
state boating authorities for specific information,
as you may be responsible for any damage or
injury your wake causes. Always be alert for NO
WAKE zones and be courteous of others while
boating. Excessive and unexpected wakes can
cause dangerous and even life-threatening
situations.

NOISE

As a boat owner/operator, you are responsible for
the noise your boat creates. Many state and local
boating authorities enforce noise limits that may
restrict engine noise, radio volume or even loud
talking. Regulations may vary from state to state.
Contact your local and state boating authorities
for specific information.

SPEED

As a boat owner/operator, you are responsible for
maintaining your boat under control at a safe
speed. Many state and local boating authorities
enforce speed limits. Regulations may vary from
state to state. Contact your local and state
boating authorities for specific information.