Everglades 455 CC, Owner'S Manual

Page: 17 / 200

17
Safety Equipment
• Electric Distress Light (Night use only)
The electric distress light is accepted for
night use only and must automatically flash
the international SOS distress signal. Under
“Inland Navigation Rules,” a high intensity
white light flashing at regular intervals from
50-70 times per minute is considered a
distress signal.
Sound Signaling Devices
The navigation rules require sound signals to be
made under certain circumstances. Recreational
vessels also are required to sound fog signals dur-
ing periods of reduced visibility. Therefore, you
must have some means of making an efficient
sound signal.
Navigation Lights
Recreational boats are required to display naviga-
tion lights between sunset and sunrise and other
periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc.)
Navigation lights are intended to keep other ves-
sels informed of your presence and course. Your
boat is equipped with navigation lights required by
the U.S. Coast Guard at the time of manufacture.
It is up to you to make sure they are operational
and turned on when required.
Fire Extinguishers
Your boat is required to have
two Marine Type USCG ap-
proved fire extinguishers.
Coast Guard approved fire ex -
tinguishers are hand-portable,
either B-I or B-II classification
and have a specific marine type
mounting bracket. It is recom-
mended that the extinguishers
be mounted in a readily acces-
sible position.
Fire extinguishers require regular inspections to
ensure that:
• Seals & tamper indicators are not broken or
missing.
• Pressure gauges or indicators read in the
operable range.
• There is no obvious physical damage,
corrosion, leakage or clogged nozzles.
Refer to the “Federal Requirements And Safety
Tips For Recreational Boats” pamphlet or visit the
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety web site, www.
uscgboating.org, for information on the type and
size fire extinguisher required for your boat.
Please refer to the information provided by the
fire extinguisher manufacturer for instructions
on the proper maintenance and use of your fire
extinguisher.
CAUTION
INFORMATION FOR HAlON, AgeNT Fe-241 AND AgeNT
FM 200 FIRe exTINguIsHeRs Is PROVIDeD BY THe
MANuFACTuReR. IT Is esseNTIAl THAT YOu ReAD THe
INFORMATION CAReFullY AND COMPleTelY uNDeRsTAND
THe sYsTeM, IN THeORY AND OPeRATION, BeFORe usINg
YOuR BOAT.
1.6 Bilge & Fuel Fires
Fuel compartment and bilge fires are very dan -
gerous because of the presence of gasoline in
the various components of the fuel system and
the possibility for explosion. You must make the
decision to fight the fire or abandon the boat. If
the fire cannot be extinguished quickly or it is too
intense to fight, abandoning the boat may be your
only option. If you find yourself in this situation,
make sure all passengers have a life preserver on
and go over the side and swim well upwind of the
boat. This will keep you and your passengers well
clear of any burning fuel that could be released
and spread on the water as the boat burns or
in the event of an explosion. When clear of the
danger, check about and account for all those who
were aboard with you. Give whatever assistance
you can to anyone in need or in the water without
a buoyant device. Keep everyone together in a
group for morale and to aid rescue operations.
WARNING
gAsOlINe CAN exPlODe. IN THe eVeNT OF A Fuel
COMPARTMeNT OR BIlge FIRe, YOu MusT MAke THe
DIFFICulT DeCIsION TO FIgHT THe FIRe OR ABANDON THe
BOAT. YOu MusT CONsIDeR YOuR sAFeTY, THe sAFeTY
OF YOuR PAsseNgeRs, THe INTeNsITY OF THe FIRe AND
THe POssIBIlITY OF AN exPlOsION IN YOuR DeCIsION.