Medical Emergency
Accidents while boating can and may happen. Be pre-
pared to handle these emergencies when they happen.
Keeping a first aid kit and dry blankets on board can assist
during these situations. It is also a good idea to contact
your local Red Cross for information and training on first
aid and CPR.
Propulsion Failure
Before you call for help regarding an engine or drive unit
failure, it is a good idea to eliminate the possibility of sim-
ple problems. Turn off the engine and check to see that (1)
there is fuel in the tank; (2) the engine cooling intakes on
the outdrive are not clogged; (3) props are clean and free
of weeds, netting, etc.; (4) no hoses are leaking; (5) there
is oil in the engine.
Once you have checked out the possibilities listed above
and find they are not the problem, call for help giving your
position and a detailed description of your boat.
Control Failure
In the unlikely event of a shift/throttle failure, shut down the
engine immediately. Carefully check the control connec-
tions in the engine compartment to see if they are secure.
If not, try to locate the attaching hardware and reassemble.
If that is not possible, try to use whatever is available such
as paper clips, hair clips, tape, etc., to secure the connec-
tions. If a temporary repair is made, return to port at the
slowest steerable speed and be prepared to take emer-
gency action should the temporary repair fail also. Have
your dealer make repairs before using the boat again.
Steering Failure
If a problem with the steering occurs, shut down the
engine immediately. Check the connections to the out-
board motor or drive unit in the engine compartment.
Some boats have a push/pull cable while others will have
hydraulic hose connections. With cable connections, check
the attaching hardware and tighten it if necessary. If you
have hydraulic hose connections, check to see if they are
leaking. If so, tighten the connections and check the
hydraulic fluid reservoir level. Most stern drives are power
assisted and have their own hydraulic reservoir and engine
mounted drive pump; check the level of reservoir and drive
pump belt. If the steering is not operating properly, do not
operate the boat and call for assistance.
3.21
Medical Emergency
Accidents while boating can and may happen. Be pre-
pared to handle these emergencies when they happen.
Keeping a first aid kit and dry blankets on board can assist
during these situations. It is also a good idea to contact
your local Red Cross for information and training on first
aid and CPR.
Propulsion Failure
Before you call for help regarding an engine or drive unit
failure, it is a good idea to eliminate the possibility of sim-
ple problems. Turn of
f the engine and check to see that (1)
there is fuel in the tank; (2) the engine cooling intakes on
the outdrive are not clogged; (3) props are clean and free
of weeds, netting, etc.; (4) no hoses are leaking; (5) there
is oil in the engine.
Once you have checked out the possibilities listed above
and find they are not the problem, call for help giving your
position and a detailed description of your boat.
Control Failure
In the unlikely event of a shift/throttle failure, shut down the
engine immediately. Carefully check the control connec-
tions in the engine compartment to see if they are secure.
If not, try to locate the attaching hardware and reassemble.
If that is not possible, try to use whatever is available such
as paper clips, hair clips, tape, etc., to secure the connec-
tions. If a temporary repair is made, return to port at the
slowest steerable speed and be prepared to take emer-
gency action should the temporary repair fail also. Have
your dealer make repairs before using the boat again.
Steering Failure
If a problem with the steering occurs, shut down the
engine immediately. Check the connections to the out-
board motor or drive unit in the engine compartment.
Some boats have a push/pull cable while others will have
hydraulic hose connections. With cable connections, check
the attaching hardware and tighten it if necessary. If you
have hydraulic hose connections, check to see if they are
leaking. If so, tighten the connections and check the
hydraulic fluid reservoir level. Most stern drives are power
assisted and have their own hydraulic reservoir and engine
mounted drive pump; check the level of reservoir and drive
pump belt. If the steering is not operating properly, do not
operate the boat and call for assistance.
3.21