Baja Marine Sportfish 250 - Manual (Page 19)

250 Sportfish ® 1.9
S
eCtion
1 • S
afety
Shut engine off if an object is struck or if you run
aground.
Check for hull leaks and propulsion system damage,
before restarting engine.
Use hand pump if bilge pumps don't remove water.
Boat very slowly, if you must proceed with a damaged
propulsion system.
!
WARNING
Your boat's propeller can kill or injure persons in
the water.
Always stay away from areas designated for
swimming or diving. Unless you are towing a skier,
stay away from water ski areas. Recognize markers
used for such areas.
When engine is running, close and lock transom
door and do not permit anyone to use boarding
ladder and swim platform.
DANGER
!
Skiers must wear an approved PFD.
!
WARNING
If the skier suddenly releases the tow rope, it can
backlash into the cockpit. Spotters who are watching
the skier must be made aware of this fact and be
prepared to deflect the rope by hand to avoid injury.
!
WARNING
Hitting an object in or under the water or boating in
dangerous currents can cause serious injury or death
to boat occupants.
You must know where the hazards are and avoid
them.
In uncharted waters, boat very slowly and post a
lookout.
!
WARNING
If you are in an unfamiliar area without knowledge of the
hazards, proceed very slowly and have someone watch
for hazards.
Let others know where you're going. a float plan
describes your intended cruising course and itinerary,
boat description, and your expected time and date of
return. give the float plan to a friend or relative, so they
can give the information to a national boat agency, like
the U.S. Coast guard, in the event you fail to return.
14. W
aTer
s
porTs
a. s
WiMMinG
• Do not permit anyone to swim from a moving boat,
or a boat with an engine running.
• Many localities prohibit swimming from boats except
in designated areas.
• Make sure boat's engine is turned off and the stern
drive, if equipped, is fully down before allowing
people to swim anywhere near your boat. Shut the
engine Off and remove the key from the ignition
switch so that nobody will accidentally start the
engine while swimmers are nearby.
• Turn off engine when taking swimmers or skiers
aboard or when they are entering the water. never
permit use of the transom swim platform while engine
is running.
• Slow down and look for swimmers or skiers when
cruising in an area where there might be persons in
the water.
b. s
kiinG
• anyone who water skis must know how to swim.
• never drive the boat directly behind a water skier.
at 22 knots (25 m.p.h.), it takes only 5 seconds to
overtake a fallen skier who was 60 meters (200 feet)
in front.
• keep a downed skier in sight and on the operator's
side of the boat when approaching the skier. never
back up to anyone in the water.
• learn the signals to communicate with a skier. The
skier is to control the boat through hand signals. (See
figure 1.10.1)