Carver 356 2004, Owner'S Manual

Page: 17 / 225

8
B
OATING
S
AFETY
3307 6/02
S
ECTION
1
Smoking, poor maintenance or carelessness when
refueling can cause hazardous conditions. Always
follow proper refueling procedures for your boat.
Flooding
If your boat is taking on water from a leak in the hull,
turn on your bilge pumps. Assign someone to bail out
the bilge and investigate the cause of the flooding. When
the source of the leak is found, attempt to repair it.
Almost anything can be stuffed into a hole to stop the
leaking temporarily. Material used to stop a leak will
work better if it is applied from the outside where water
pressure can help hold it in. If necessary, station a crew
member to hold the plug in place if the plug is applied
from the inside. In all cases, station a crew member or
passenger to watch the plugged area and alert others if
it fails.
Swamped or Capsized Boat
If your boat becomes swamped or capsizes, put on a
personal flotation device immediately and set off a
distress signal. Chances are good a capsized boat will
stay afloat. For this reason, stay with the boat. Do not
leave the boat or try to swim to shore except under
extreme conditions. A capsized boat is easier to see than
a swimmer, and the shore may be further away than it
appears.
If water is coming over the bow, reduce headway and
turn the boat slightly so that the bow is slightly off from
meeting the waves head on. Drop a sea anchor and
adjust the length of the line to hold the bow at the most
favorable angle.
Collision
If a serious collision occurs, check everyone onboard for
injuries, then inspect the boat to determine the extent
of the damage.
• Prepare to help the other craft unless your boat or
its passengers are in danger.