Everglades 355 CC, Owner'S Manual

Page: 33 / 148

33
Operation
2.12 Man Overboard
If someone falls overboard, you must be pre-
pared to react quickly, particularly when you are
offshore. The following procedures will help you
in recovering a person that has fallen overboard.
• Immediately stop the boat and sound a man
overboard alarm and have all passengers point
to the person in the water.
• Circle around quickly and throw a cushion or
life jacket to the person, if possible and an-
other to use as a marker.
• Keep the person on the driver side of the boat
so you can keep him in sight at all times.
• Make sure to approach the person from the
downwind side and maneuver the boat so the
propellers are well clear of the person in the
water.
• Turn off the engines when the person is along -
side and use a ring buoy with a line attached, a
paddle or boat hook to assist him to the boat.
Make sure you don’t hit him with the ring buoy
or the boat.
• Pull the person to the boat and assist him on
board.
• Check the person for injuries and administer
first aid if necessary. If the injuries are seri -
ous, call for help. Refer to the Safety chapter
for more information on first aid and request -
ing emergency medical assistance.
WARNING
MOVING PROPELLERS ARE DANGEROUS. THEY CAN CAUSE
DEATH, LOSS OF LIMBS OR OTHER SEVERE INJURY. DO NOT
USE THE SWIM PLATFORM OR SWIM LADDER WHILE THE
ENGINES ARE RUNNING. STOP THE ENGINES IF DIVERS OR
SWIMMERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO BOARD. ALWAYS PROPERLY
STORE THE LADDER BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINES.
2.13 Water Skiing
and Wakeboarding
Your boat could be equipped for water skiing and
wakeboarding. If you have never driven skiers
before, you should spend some hours as an ob-
server and learning from an experienced driver.
If you are an experienced driver, you should take
some time to become familiar with the boat and
the way it handles before pulling a skier. The
driver should also know the skier’s ability and
drive accordingly.
The following safety precautions should be
observed while towing water skiers.
• Water ski only in safe areas, away from other
boats and swimmers, out of channels and in
water free of underwater obstructions. The
area should be at least 5 feet deep, 3000 feet
long and have at least 100 feet between each
side of the boat and any obstructions.
• Make sure that anyone who skis can swim. Do
not allow people who cannot swim to water ski.
• Be sure that the skier is wearing a proper life
jacket. A water skier is considered onboard the
boat and a Coast Guard approved life jacket
is required. It is advisable and recommended
for a skier to wear a flotation device designed
to withstand the impact of hitting the water
at high speed.
• Make sure to inspect the ski equipment and
tow rope before each ski session. Never use
equipment that is damaged or with loose
screws, torn boots, severe corrosion or tears
in the fabric. You should also inspect the ski
tow rope and replace if it is frayed, has un-
necessary knots or is damaged. Never use a
ski tow line that is questionable.
• Secure the ski tow rope to an appropriate
device intended for ski tow ropes.
• Always carry a second person on board to
observe the skier or wakeboarder so that your
full attention can be given to the safe operation
of the boat. The operator should pay atten-
tion to driving the boat and have the observer
keep him updated on the skier. Never ski after
dark. It is hazardous and illegal. Neither the
boat operator or skier can see well enough to
navigate at skiing or wakeboarding speeds
safely at night.
• Never spray swimmers, boats, rafts or other
skiers. The risk for a collision makes this dan-
gerous for the skier and people being sprayed.