Boating Safety
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Owner’s/Operator’s Manual
Teak/Drag Surfing
READ, UNDERSTAND and be FAMILIAR with the information contained on warning
labels and adhere to the practices described on them. The United States Coast
Guard issued a SAFETY ALERT on August 28, 2001 that covers some of the issues
of improper use of the boarding platform. The SAFETY ALERT and portions of the
accompanying information follow:
Every year tragic deaths occur from the negligence of unsafe boating and dangerous
activities. Experts say, “many of these deaths may have been caused by an invisible
hazard, carbon monoxide poisoning.” Taking the risk of swimming under a boarding
platform when the engine is running, skiing within 20 ft (6.1 m), “teak surfing” or
“dragging” behind a moving boat can be fatal.
DO NOT use the boarding platform or ladder for any other purpose than boarding the
boat or preparation of entering the water, and DO NOT use the boarding platform or
ladder when the engine is running.
SAFETY ALERT From August 28, 2001:
The United States Coast Guard advised boaters not to “Teak Surf.” Recent boating
fatalities revealed carbon monoxide (CO) emitted from a vessel’s exhaust resulted in
CO poisoning and death. Do not allow persons in the vicinity of a swim platform or
ladder when equipped (in the water or in the boat) with the engine(s) or a generator
operating, while at rest or underway at slow speed. “Teak Surfing” places the
individual in a position directly exposed to the CO in the engine’s exhaust. This may
result in a loss of coherent responses and even death. In addition, “Teak Surfing”
dangerously exposes the individual to a possible propeller injury, and since it is done
without a life jacket (PFD), it significantly increases the probability of drowning.
Therefore, the Coast Guard stresses, “Teak Surfing” is a very dangerous activity and
advises boaters not to participate in it.
Carbon monoxide is one of the most dangerous gases. It impairs and can often lead
to death. It is important to the Coast Guard that it should be avoided in every
circumstance.
Precautions
•
Make sure the operators and observers are experienced during water sports.
•
Make sure everyone knows and uses hand signals and common skiing
courtesy.
•
Make sure the engine is OFF before allowing anyone to approach the craft.
•
Make sure the engine is OFF before a skier enters or exits the craft, boarding
platform or ladder.
•
Make sure every participant wears a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type III PFD.
Special PFDs are available for high impact falls into the water.
•
DO NOT put any body parts through the handle-bridle of the ski line, or wrap
the line around any part of the body.
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