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Owners Manual
PREPARATION
Prior to leaving on your first outing (or, for that
matter, any outing) there are certain items to
check and activities to perform. Familiarise yourself
with the boat before launching and consider the
following suggestions:
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFETY
Personal Flotation Devices:
One approved
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) of suitable size
is required for each person aboard the boat.
Always ensure children wear PFDs. Always check
devices intended for young children for fit and
performance in the water. Never hesitate to have
all persons wear lifesaving devices whenever
circumstances cause the slightest doubt about
safety or where local boating regulations stipulate
their use.
Underfloor Flotation:
Flotation material should be
checked regularly to assess its condition.
Do not overload or improperly load your boat.
Maintain a clear walking area/freeboard at all
times. Consider the sea conditions, the duration
of the trip, the weather and the experience of
the personnel onboard. Do not allow any person
to ride on parts of the boat not designed for such
use. Raised casting platform seating positions are
for use at rest, not whilst under-way.
Understand the meanings of navigation buoys
and never moor to one.
Be aware of the various distress signals.
Slowly raising arms up and down in a
boat is a recognised distress signal.
Monitor weather forecasts before leaving and
during your trip.
Be especially attentive in areas where swimmers or
divers may be operating.
Watch your wake. It might capsize a small craft. You
are responsible for damage caused by your wake.
Pass through anchorages at a minimum speed and
observe speed limits where applicable.
Learn and abide by common boating “rules of the
water.”
Before commencing on an extensive cruise, have
current charts of the cruising area on board.
Keep an alert lookout. Serious accidents have
resulted from failure in this respect.
Always instruct at least one person on board in
the fundamentals of boat handling, should you
become disabled or fall overboard.
Consider what action you would take under various
emergency conditions such as a person overboard,
fog, fire, a damaged hull or other bad leaks, motor
breakdown, severe storm or collision.
Your boat is not intended to act as a flotation
device if capsized.
Should the boat ever capsize or a similar catastrophic
event occur, It is imperative that appropriate safety
gear is utilised whenever circumstances give rise to
the slightest doubt about occupants’ safety.
It is also strongly recommended you remain with
your boat should any such event arise, since you
are more easily located by search plane or boat.
Keep lifesaving and fire fighting equipment (e.g.
epirb, flares, etc) in good condition and readily
available at all times. Monitor expiry dates also.
Have an adequate anchor and sufficient line (at
least three to six times the depth of the water) to
guarantee a secure hold in all types of weather and
sea conditions.
Know your fuel tank capacity and cruising range.
Your cruising range can be affected by many
things, including weather conditions, tidal
conditions, mechanical condition of your boat/
motor and loading of your boat. If it is necessary
to carry additional fuel, do so only in containers
approved to carry fuel (per required regulations). It
is good practice to allow a 50% margin over and
above estimated fuel use.
Before departing on a boat trip, advise a responsible
friend or relative of your intended route. Be sure to
give that person a good description of your boat.
Keep them advised of any changes in your cruise
plans. These precautions will enable them to tell
rescue organisations where to search and the type
of boat to look for, if you fail to return. Be sure to
inform that person upon return to prevent any
false alarms about your safety.
When mooring next to piers, docks or other
boats use fenders or fender boards to
protect your hull.
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