Four winns 318 VISTA, Owner'S Manual

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Owner’s Manual Page Pre-Launch and Underway - Section S
•. Navigation.markers.serve.as.a.means.of.identify-
ing.navigable.routes.and.indicate.water.hazards..
Boaters.should.become.familiar.with.navigation.
markers.and.stay.within.marked.boundaries.and.
clear.of.hazards..
S - 10 REACTING TO EMERGENCIES
Be.prepared.to.deal.with.emergencies.before.they.
happen..Try.to.formulate.a.plan.for.each.type.of.
emergency.in.advance.so.that.decisions.can.be.made.
quickly.and.without.hesitation..Precious.moments.lost.
can.mean.the.difference.between.losing.and.saving..
a.life..
A. Flooding
If.your.boat.starts.taking.on.water,.activate.the.bilge.
pump.immediately..Make.sure.all.passengers.are.
wearing.their.PFDs..Open.the.engine.compartment,.
look for the cause of the flooding. Check all hoses,
through hull fittings, seacocks and strainers. If flooding
occurs.as.a.result.of.collision.or.grounding.damage,.
call.for.assistance.and.head.for.shore.if.possible..
B. Capsizing and Man Overboard
By.far,.the.largest.number.of.boating.fatalities.involve.
capsizing.and.falling.overboard.accidents..By.being.
prepared.ahead.of.time.with.an.appropriate.plan.of.
action,.you.can.greatly.lower.your.chances.and.your.
passengers’.chances.of.becoming.seriously.injured..
C. Capsizing
Wear.PFDs.or.have.them.readily.available.at.all..
times..If.your.boat.capsizes,.and.others.were.on.
board,.locate.them.and.guide.them.to.the.safety.of.the.
hull. Even if the boat floats in an upside-down position,
stay.with.it..The.boat.hull.is.much.easier.for.rescuers.
to.spot.than.a.human.head.sticking.out.of.the.water...
DO.NOT.attempt.to.swim.ashore,.it.may.be.further.
than.it.looks..
D. Man Overboard
Think.through.and.follow.these.procedures.if.someone.
in.your.boat.falls.overboard..
•. Remember,.every.second.counts,.you.must.act.
fast..
C. Running Aground
To prevent boat damage, DO NOT use deck
hardware or water ski pylon for towing. Use a
commercial towing service.
Operating.in.shallow.water.can.present.a.number.of.
hazards..Sand.bars.in.narrow.inlets.are.constantly.
shifting, making it difficult to mark them with buoys.
Sometimes.sand.bars.are.indicated.by.waves.as.they.
form.into.breakers.when.passing.over.sand.bars..In.
coastal.areas,.tides.can.change.water.levels.by.as.
much.as.30.feet..Check.with.local.marinas.or.Coast.
Guard.stations.for.tide.tables.and.current.charts..
If your boat runs aground, first check persons aboard
for.injury..Then.check.for.damage.to.the.boat..If.the.
drive.unit.strikes.an.underwater.hazard,.check.for.boat.
and.drive.unit.damage..If.the.engine.vibrates.exces-
sively.after.striking.an.underwater.obstruction,.it.may.
indicate.a.damaged.propeller..If.vibration.is.noticeable,.
return.to.port.slowly.to.prevent.further.drive.and.engine.
damage.from.an.out-of-balance.condition..Watch.the.
temperature.gauge.to.make.sure.you.do.not.overheat.
the.engine..
If.the.boat.is.not.taking.on.any.water,.it.may.be.possible.
to.rock.the.boat.by.shifting.the.weight.of.the.passen-
gers.and.gear.and.by.raising.the.drive.unit.while.
reversing.the.engine..
If.you.ground.your.boat.on.a.sand.bar,.shut.down.the.
engine.and.seek.help.from.another.boater.or.radio.for.
help..See.your.dealer.as.soon.as.possible,.as.sand.
ingested.in.the.engine.cooling.system.can.cause.major.
engine.damage..
D. Warning Markers
It is a good idea to find out about hazardous areas and
how.they.are.marked.by.asking.your.local.authorities..
• Boaters must also recognize the flag designs which
indicate.that.scuba.divers.are.present.and.keep.
well.clear.of.the.area..
•. Watch.for.swimmers..Swimming.areas.may.not..
be.marked..Steer.clear.from.the.area.and.always.
remain.alert..
• Distress flags indicate a fellow boater is in need .
of.assistance..