• Visibility (islands, fog, rain, sunshine)
• Familiarity of the route (time needed for navigation)
• Narrow and/or crowded waterways (other vessels, noise and wake wash
hitting the shore)
• The time and distance needed for stopping or making evasive manoeuvres.
5.9.2
Emergency switch
Attach the emergency cut-off cord to yourself as soon as you have released the
mooring lines. Please refer to the engine manual for details. If you are operating
the boat alone, it is very important that the engine stops if you go overboard or fall
down. Please remember, however, to release the emergency cord before leaving
the boat to avoid stopping the engine unintentionally.
DANGER
5.9.3
Visibility from the steering position
It is easy to drive the boat in fair weather when the sea is calm, but remember to
keep sufficient lookout (also a requirement of the COLREG rules). Ensure maximum
visibility from the steering position at all times by following these guidelines:
• The positions of the crew and passenger must not obstruct the helmsman's
visibility.
• Do not drive at the planing threshold speed for extended periods as the
raised bow blocks forward visibility.
• Use the engine's trim function and any trim tabs you may have installed to
adjust the bow so that visibility is not compromised.
• Use the windshield wipers when necessary.
• Also remember to look behind the boat, especially on fairways with fast
ships that may overtake you. On narrow fairways it is always recommended
to give way to faster ships, especially if they cannot otherwise overtake you
safely because of limited space.
Use the navigation lights during darkness or when visibility is limited for any other
reason (such as fog or heavy rain).
5.10 Proper procedures: Further recommendations and
guidelines
5.10.1 Protection from falling overboard and means of climbing back
aboard
The work decks of the boat are marked in Figure 6. Do not sit, stand or otherwise
remain in any other areas when the boat is moving.
The rotating propeller can be fatal for a person who has fallen
overboard or is swimming close to the boat. Use the emergency
switch. Always stop the engine when a swimmer or water-skier
is approaching the boat or climbing aboard.
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