Hunter H45DS, Operator'S Manual

Page: 55 / 210

Hunter 45DS • Boating Safety
4.11
Reduce your speed. Keep enough power to head
into the waves at an angle. Avoid taking waves over the
bow. If wind and waves come from astern, adjust your
power to keep waves over the stern.
Position passengers so that the weight will best keep
the boat stable. It is advisable for passengers to keep
weight low and as close as possible to the centerline of
the boat.
Drop a sea anchor over the stern to maintain the bow
into the seas. If you do not have a sea anchor aboard,
use a canvas bucket, tackle box, or other object that will
work like an anchor.
Radar reflectors, if installed on your boat, should be
18 inches diagonally. They should be placed 12 feet
above the waterline. Otherwise, a boat with radar may
have trouble “seeing” your boat.
WARNING
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Never attach tow line to deck cleat or anchor wind-
lass. Cleat or windlass may pull free from deck and
cause serious personal injury or property damage.
4.3.2 Fog
You can judge the likelihood of fog formation by peri-
odically measuring the air temperature and the dew point
temperature. If the difference between these two tem-
peratures is small, fog is likely to develop.
Foggy conditions include mist, snowstorm, or heavy
rain.
Avoid operation in such weather, especially if your boat is
not equipped with radar or other
4.3.3 Remember these guidelines:
Unless your boat is well equipped with charts, head
for shore at the first sign of fog and wait until conditions
improve. If you have charts on board, take bearings as
fog sets in, mark your position, and continue to log your
course and speed.
Make sure all persons on board have put on their per-
sonal flotation devices (PFDs). If your boat has sound-
ing equipment, take soundings regularly and match
them with known depths on your charts.
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Station a person forward in the boat as a lookout.
Reduce your speed. From time to time, stop engines
and listen for other fog signals.
Sound the horn or bell at approximately 2 minute
intervals.
If there is any doubt about continuing your excursion,
anchor. Listen for other fog signals while continuing to
sound your fog horn.
4.3.4 Drugs and Alcohol
Drugs and alcohol affect a person’s ability to make sound
judgments and react quickly. As a responsible boater, you
will refrain from using drugs or alcohol (singly or com-
bined) while operating your boat. Operation of motorized
vessels while under the influence carries a significant
penalty. Drugs and alcohol decrease your reaction time,
impair your judgment, and inhibit your ability to safely
operate your boat.
4.3.5 Collision
If a serious collision occurs, first check the persons on
board for injuries. Then inspect the boat to determine the
extent of the damage.
Prepare to help the other craft unless your boat or its pas-
sengers are in danger.
Prepare to help the other craft if your bow penetrated the
other boat or its passengers are in danger.
If the bow of the other boat penetrated your boat’s hull,
prepare to plug the fracture once the boats are sepa-
rate.
4.3.6 Running Aground
If your boat runs aground, check everyone for injury
and inspect damage to the boat or propellers. If lightly
grounded, shift weight of passengers or gear to heel the
boat while reversing engines. If towing becomes neces-
sary, do not attach towline to deck cleats. These are not
designed to take full load of the boat. We recommend
using a commercial towing service.
4.3.7 Swamped or Capsized Boat
If your boat becomes swamped or capsized, put on a
PFD immediately and set off a distress signal. Chances
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