Albemarle 288 EXPRESS FISHERMAN, Owner'S Manual

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288 OBXF
Chapter 11:
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
11.1 General
Your boat and outboard engines have been equipped with
safety equipment designed to enhance the safe operation of
the boat and to meet U.S. Coast Guard safety standards. The
Coast Guard or state, county, and municipal law enforcement
agencies require certain additional accessory safety equipment
on each boat. This equipment varies according to length and
type of boat and type of propulsion. The accessory equipment
typically required by the Coast Guard is described in this
chapter. Some local laws require additional equipment. It
is important to obtain “Federal Requirements And Safety
Tips for Recreational Boats,” published by the Coast Guard,
and copies of state and local laws, to make sure you have the
required equipment for your boating area.
Your boat is equipped with engine alarms and cabin monitoring
equipment. These systems are designed to increase your
boating safety by alerting you to potentially serious problems
in the primary power systems and the cabin. Alarm systems
are not intended to lessen or replace good maintenance and
precruise procedures.
This chapter also describes safety related equipment that
could be installed on your boat. This equipment will vary
depending on the type of engines and other options installed
by you or your dealer.
11.2 Engine Alarms
Most outboards are equipped with an audible alarm system
mounted in the helm area that monitors selected critical engine
systems. The alarm will sound if one of these systems begins
to fail. Refer to the engine owner’s manual for information on
the alarms installed with your engines.
The SmartCraft Vessel Display is installed with Mercury
engines. It monitors RPM, oil pressure, coolant temperature,
battery voltage, turbo boost pressure, fuel consumption and
water in the fuel filter. If there is a problem with one of these
systems, it will sound an alarm and a diagnostic flag appears
on the screen until the problem is found and resolved.
If the alarms sounds:
• Immediately throttle the engines back to idle.
• Shift to neutral.
• Monitor the engine gauges to determine the cause of the
problem.
• If necessary, shut off the engine and investigate until the
cause of the problem is found.
11.3 Neutral Safety Switch
Every control system has a neutral safety switch incorporated
into it. This device prohibits the engines from being started
while the shift lever is in any position other than the neutral
position. If the engines will not start, slight movement of the
shift levers may be necessary to locate the neutral position
and disengage the safety cutout switch. Control or cable
adjustments may be required to correct this condition should
it persist. See your Albemarle dealer for necessary control and
cable adjustments. Please refer to the Helm Control Systems
chapter for more information on the neutral safety switch.
11.4 Engine Stop Switch
Your boat is equipped with an engine stop switch and lanyard.
The lanyard should be attached to a secure place on your
clothing or around an arm or leg while operating. If you are
suddenly thrown from the helm or leave the helm accidently,
the lanyard will pull from the switch, stopping the engines.
We strongly recommend that the lanyard be attached to the
driver whenever the engines are running.
If the engines
will not start, it could be because the lanyard is not properly
inserted into the engine stop switch. Always make sure the
lanyard is properly attached to the engine stop switch before
attempting to start the engines.
Throwable Device and Personal PFD