Owner`s manual

Chapter 1
1-8
Sport Boat
EMERGENCIES
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.
Reporting Accidents
The U.S. Coast Guard requires the owner or operator of a boat involved in
an accident to report the incident to the proper marine law enforcement
agency for the State in which the accident occurred. Immediate notification
to the nearest State boating authority is required if a person dies or
disappears as a result of a recreational boating accident. If a person dies
or injuries requiring more than first aid are involved, a formal report must
be filed within 48 hours of the accident. A formal report must be filed within
10 days for accidents exceeding $500 in property damage or complete
loss of boat.
Giving 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 craft 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.
Fires
Most fires are the result of
gasoline and oil accumulating
in the bilge from careless
fueling practices. Use the fire
extinguisher at the base of the
flames using a sweeping
motion. Prudent and accurate
use of the available chemicals
should contain all but the worst
fires. Verify that the fire has
been extinguished. If so, check
damage and get assistance
immediately. If not, get out and
swim at least 23 m (25 yds) upwind from the boat and use the visual
distress signals to get assistance.
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KCC_SportBoat_Book.book Page 8 Tuesday, December 5, 2006 7:19 AM