Malibu Boats M235 2018, Owner'S Manual

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Safety First
FIRE EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT
Even when surrounded by water, fire is a significant concern. In fact, because safe
egress from the boat is limited if it becomes necessary to abandon ship, this issue
reinforces the need for easily accessible PFDs.
When boating in the United States, boats of less than 26 feet in length are
required to have at least one (1) B1-rated, hand-held fire extinguisher on-board
and fully charged, unless there is an automatic fire extinguishing system installed.
An automatic system is available as an option on Malibu boats. Hand-held units are not
included in standard equipment so that the consumer can choose from a wide range of
fire extinguishers, many of which exceed the minimum requirements.
If the boat does
not have an automatic fire extinguishing system installed, the boat owner MUST
purchase and install at least one (1) B1-rated fire extinguisher.
Most countries have fire-extinguishing and suppression requirements for recreational boats. It
is the responsibility of the boat owner and/or operator to determine the requirements for the body of
water on which the boating will occur. Being unaware of the law will likely not be an accepted excuse by
law enforcement, and will likely not prevent the boater from receiving a citation or arrest.
The automatic fire extinguishing system is mounted inside the engine
compartment. In the event the system’s sensor recognizes extreme heat in the
compartment, the system will create a chemically mixed dry suppression material.
In most instances, there is sufficient suppression material to suffocate the fire and
its source. In the event of a fire, boat operators should immediately turn OFF the boat’s engine, which will also shut down the
pressurized fuel system.
An automatic fire extinguishing system has an LED-lighted indicator located adjacent to the throttle-shifter at the driver helm. As
part of the routine safety checks as the boat powers up, the operator should verify that the extinguisher system indicator is active.
Whenever fire extinguishers or suppression units have been used in fighting an on-board fire, a careful determination
should be made whether it is safe to operate the boat. In most instances, it is advisable to have the boat towed to
shore rather than risk additional fire or permanent damage to the drive train. The boat should be thoroughly serviced
by an authorized Malibu dealer prior to operation again. Operation prior to service could result in additional damage
to the boat, and may result in serious injury or death.
Following discharge of fire suppression material, the system will require recharging. If an automatic system has discharged, it is
unlikely that the boat can be run. Malibu recommends getting a tow to shore and having the engine compartment thoroughly cleaned
and the fire suppression system recharged prior to running the boat’s engine again. If hand-held units have been discharged, they will
also require recharging. The chemicals in all fire suppression units can discolor upholstery and carpeting. It is recommended that the
boat be cleaned as soon as practical. The fire suppression manufacturers provide information regarding the proper and appropriate
cleaning agents. Also pay attention to the cleaning instructions provided in the Care and Maintenance section of this Owner’s
Manual to avoid permanent damage to materials.
Even if systems are not discharged, fire extinguishers and suppression units require periodic maintenance. For a factory-installed
automatic fire suppression system, a check of the system should be part of the routine annual maintenance. Hand-held units should
be examined regularly for rust, corrosion, damage, or leakage. Weigh the unit annually to be certain that it meets the minimum listed
on the label. If it has been used, even partially, it should be recharged by a qualified fire-extinguisher servicing company.
When purchasing fire extinguishing and suppression units, Malibu strongly recommends buying units that are prepared specifically
for the marine environment. The standards for these units has been established by the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Boat and
Yacht Council (ABYC). In other countries, follow the recommendations and requirements of local jurisdictions and boating authorities.
Malibu recommends fire extinguishing and suppression in excess of the minimum requirements. While an automatic fire
suppression system is highly effective in most instances of an engine compartment fire, it is possible that a fire could occur in another
area of the boat.
Therefore, Malibu recommends having at least one (1) hand-held unit fully charged and on-board at all times.
Models:
(Automatic fire extinguisher in engine compartment) Optional on all.
EMERGENCY ENGINE STOP SWITCH
The Emergency Engine Stop Switch attaches to the boat operator
by way of a lanyard for the purpose of shutting off the engine if the
operator, for any reason, moves or is moved away from the driver’s helm.
The switch assembly consists of an ON-OFF switch and a switch/
Malibu Owners Manual • 2018 • How It Works • Page 4-2