Mercury Marine Sport 899183001 - Manual (Page 12)

GENERAL INFORMATION
8
Important Safety Information: The purpose of a lanyard stop switch
is to stop the engine when the operator moves far enough away
from the operator's position to activate the switch. This would occur
if the operator accidentally falls overboard or moves within the boat
a sufficient distance from the operator's position. Falling overboard
and accidental ejections are more likely to occur in certain types
of boats such as low sided inflatables, bass boats, high
performance boats, and light, sensitive handling fishing boats
operated by a hand tiller. Falling overboard and accidental
ejections are also likely to occur as a result of poor operating
practices such as sitting on the back of the seat or gunwale at
planing speeds, standing at planing speeds, sitting on elevated
fishing boat decks, operating at planing speeds in shallow or
obstacle infested waters, releasing your grip on a steering wheel
or tiller handle that is pulling in one direction, drinking alcohol or
consuming drugs, or daring high speed boat maneuvers.
While activation of the lanyard stop switch will stop the engine
immediately, a boat will continue to coast for some distance
depending upon the velocity and degree of any turn at shut down.
However, the boat will not complete a full circle. While the boat is
coasting, it can cause injury to anyone in the boat's path as
seriously as the boat would when under power.
We strongly recommend that other occupants be instructed on
proper starting and operating procedures should they be required
to operate the engine in an emergency (e.g. if the operator is
accidentally ejected).
!
WARNING
Should the operator fall out of the boat, the possibility of serious
injury or death from being run over by the boat can be greatly
reduced by stopping the engine immediately. Always properly
connect both ends of the stop switch lanyard to the stop switch
and the operator.