Operating instructions

22 SAFETY INFORMATION
Safe Boating Courses
The local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and
the U.S. Power Squadrons offer com-
prehensive safe boating classes several
times a year. You may contact the
BOAT/U.S. Foundation at 1 800 336-
BOAT (2628) or, in Virginia, 1 800 245-
BOAT (2628), for a course schedule in
your area. Also contact the local U.S.
Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squad-
ron Flotilla for the time and place of their
next scheduled class. A boating safety
course is recommended and may be re-
quired in your province or state.
Water Sports
Water skiing, wakeboarding, or riding
a towed, inflatable apparatus are some
of the more popular water sports. Tak-
ing part in any water sport requires in-
creased safety awareness by the par-
ticipant 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 ex-
perienced driver. It is also important 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.
Both the boat operator and observer
should monitor the location of the tow-
rope when participating in water-
sports. A slack tow rope can become
entangled with person(s) or objects in
the boat or in the water, particularly
when making a tight turn or circling,
and cause serious personal injury.
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 U.S.
Coast Guard. Wearing a properly
designed PFD helps a stunned or
unconscious person stay afloat. A
Type-IV water-ski vest is an ap-
proved and practical PFD.
3. Have a second person aboard to ob-
serve the person being towed and
inform the driver about the partici-
pant’s hand signals. The driver must
give full attention to operating the
boat and the waters ahead.
4. Be considerate to others you share
the water with.
5. Give immediate attention to a per-
son who has fallen. He or she is vul-
nerable in the water alone and may
not be seen by other boaters.

WARNING
Avoid Personal Injury! Your boat is
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.

WARNING
“Teak Surfing” is extremely dan-
gerous to participants due to their
proximity to the rear of the boat
where direct contact with the ex-
haust fumes from the boat engine
is the highest. Carbon monoxide
poisoning can occur and result in
mental disorientation, dizziness,
drowsiness, and loss of con-
sciousness. The combination of
carbon monoxide exposure and
non-use of a life jacket (PFD) make
this new water recreation activity
an incredibly dangerous and po-
tentially deadly sport.
lmo2004-004a_safety.fm Page 22 Wednesday, August 6, 2003 11:18 AM