Four winns V458, Owner'S Manual

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Owner’s Manual Page 24 Operation - Section A
A - 13 ACCIDENT REPORTING
The operator of the boat is responsible for filing a
report with the appropriate authorities. In general,
reports are necessary for accidents involving loss of
life, injury, or damage over $500. In the case of
accidents with reportable injuries or death, a formal
report is required within 48 hours. If only property
damage is involved, a report must be made within ten
days. The 1971 Boating Safety Act may impose a
$1,000 civil fine for people who fail to submit a boating
accident report. Ask your insurance agent for more
information.
If you see a distress signal, you must assume it is a
real emergency and render assistance immediately.
The master or person in charge of a boat is obligated
by law to provide assistance to any individual in dan-
ger at sea. However, you should not put your boat
or crew in a dangerous situation which exceeds your
capabilities or those of your boat. The 1971 Boating
Safety Act grants protection to a Good Samaritan
boater offering good faith assistance, and absolves
a boater from any civil liability arising from assistance
given.
A - 14 DISCHARGE OF OIL
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits
the discharge of oil waste into or upon the navigable
waters of the United States or the waters of the
contiguous zone if such discharge causes a film or
sheen upon or a discoloration of the surface of the
water or causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the
surface of the water. Violators are subject to a penalty
of $5,000.
A - 15 DISPOSAL OF PLASTICS
& OTHER GARBAGE
Plastic refuse dumped in the water can kill fish and
marine wildlife and can foul boat propellers and
cooling water intakes. Other forms of waterborne
garbage can litter our beaches and make people sick.
US Coast Guard and most state regulations prohibit
the dumping of plastic refuse or other garbage mixed
with plastic into the water anywhere, and restrict the
dumping of other forms of garbage within specified
distances from shore.
A - 16 MARPOL TREATY
Boats 26 feet or longer must display a sign stating the
disposal regulations of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act. The US Coast Guard has issued these
regulations to implement Annex V of the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,
1973, commonly known as Annex V of the MARPOL
(Marine Pollution) Treaty 73/78. They apply to all US
boats wherever they operate (except waters under the
exclusive jurisdiction of a State) and foreign boats
operating in US waters out to and including the
Exclusive Economic Zone (200 miles). It is important
to know these regulations and adhere to them.
The regulations require US recreational boaters,
if your boat is 26 feet or more in length, to affix one
or more USCG Trash Dumping Restrictions placards
to your boat. The placard warns against the discharge
of plastic and other forms of garbage within the
navigable waters of the United States and specify
discharge restrictions beyond the territorial sea.
(The territorial sea generally ends three nautical miles
from the seashore.) In addition, the placard must
contain the warning that a person who violates these
requirements is liable to civil ($25,000) and criminal
(imprisonment) penalties. The placard also must note
that State and local regulations may further restrict
the disposal of garbage.
Operators shall display one or more placards in a
prominent location and in sufficient numbers so they
can be observed and read by crew and passengers.
These locations might include embarkation points,
food service areas, galleys, garbage handling spaces
and common deck spaces frequented by crew and
passengers. We recommend that these placards may
be purchased from local marinas, boat dealerships
and marine equipment suppliers. A special placard
is available for boats operating on the Great Lakes.
NOTICE
IMPORTANT: It is illegal to discharge waste
from your marine sanitary device (toilet) into
the water in most areas. It is your responsibility
to be aware of and adhere to all local laws
concerning waste discharge. Consult with the
Coast Guard, local marina or your dealer for
additional information.