Carver 356 2004, Owner'S Manual

Page: 27 / 225

18
B
OATING
S
AFETY
3307 6/02
S
ECTION
1
with your local U.S. Coast Guard office to be sure that
you are in compliance with federal regulations.
State and Local Ordinances
Your state or locality may have laws limiting speed,
noise, or your boat’s wake. Check with your harbor
master to find out whether your boat’s operation is
restricted in any way by local ordinances or state laws.
Check with state and local authorities to make sure
that you are in compliance with local regulations re-
garding marine sanitation, noise, speed and wake.
• Check the weather. Make sure conditions and seas
will not be hazardous during your voyage.
• Make sure all safety equipment is onboard, acces-
sible and in good working condition.
• Check the bilge for fuel vapor or water. Ventilate or
pump out the bilge as necessary.
• Be sure the horn, navigation equipment and lights
are working properly.
• Instruct guests and crew in safety and operational
matters.
• Check engine and transmission oil and coolant
levels. After starting the engines, check the over-
board flow of cooling water, engine temperatures
and oil pressures.
• Fill fuel tanks as full as you need. Know your tank
capacity and fuel consumption at various RPMs
and the cruising radius this gives you. When esti-
mating your range, it is best to count on using 1/3
of your fuel to reach your destination and 1/3 of
your fuel to return, with the remaining 1/3 of your
fuel in reserve for emergencies.
• Have a second person onboard capable of taking
over the boat’s operation in case you are disabled.
• Before departing, inform a friend or relative where
you intend to cruise and when you will return so
they can tell the U.S. Coast Guard where to look
Pre-Departure
Actions