Owner`s manual

46
✸ When fueling your yacht in warm
weather, allow for expansion of the fuel
and do not top off the fuel tanks. The
tanks may overflow when the fuel expands
after being pumped out from cool, under-
ground tanks or when the air temperature
is cool, such as early morning or evening.
✸ Always handle fuel with care.
✸ Never store fuel in portable containers
aboard your yacht.
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS_____
Swamped or Capsized Yacht
If your yacht becomes swamped or cap-
sizes, immediately put on a PFD and set
off a visual distress signal. A swamped or
capsized yacht will normally stay afloat.
DO NOT leave your yacht or attempt to
swim to shore, except under extreme
conditions, such as fire or explosion. A
capsized yacht is much easier to see by a
potential rescuer than a person swimming,
resulting in a greater chance of rescue. If
you attempt to swim to safety, the shore
may be farther away than it appears and
you may tire and not be able to reach your
destination, resulting in possible drowning.
Hypothermia
If a person falls overboard or is in the
water due to a swamped or capsized
yacht, hypothermia may be an immediate
concern. Hypothermia exists when the
body loses heat faster than it can replace
it. If not rescued within a short period of
time, the person will become exhausted
and likely drown. In general, the colder the
water, the shorter the time for survival. If
the person is wearing a PFD, it will greatly
increase his survival time as they act as
an insulator and will also keep the person
afloat even if he is unconscious.
Collision
If a collision occurs, the following proce-
dure should be strictly adhered to:
✸ Be certain all passengers put on their
PFD. If a passenger is unable to put on his
own PFD due to a disabling injury, assist
him.
✸ Examine all persons on board for any
injuries and administer first aid, if neces-
sary.
✸ If your yacht has a VHF radio, contact
the United States Coast Guard and any
other potential rescue vessel and advise
of your situation and location. VHF radio
contact may be made on Channel 16 and
Citizen’s Band(CB) radio contact may be
made on Channel 22.
✸ Inspect your yacht to determine the
extent of damage and its potential for
sinking.
✸ Prepare to assist the other craft and its
passengers, if possible.
✸ If the collision resulted in penetration of
your hull, prepare to quickly plug the
fracture with a spare life jacket or bunk
cushion once the vessels are separated.
✸ Before plugging the fracture, trim the
yacht to place the damaged section above
the water level.
✸ Remain with your yacht until assistance
arrives.