Malibu Boats M235 2018, Owner'S Manual

Page: 46 / 200

• Immersion in water speeds the loss of body heat and can
lead to hypothermia (the abnormal lowering of internal body
temperature).
STAYING AFLOAT
• Remain calm. Do not thrash about or try to remove clothing
or footwear. This leads to exhaustion and increases the loss of
air that may keep you afloat.
• Keep your life jacket (PFD) on.
• Keep your knees bent.
• Float on your back and paddle slowly to safety.
COLLISIONS
• Immediately account for all passengers.
• Check for injuries.
• If any person is in the water make sure they have proper
flotation devices.
• Assess the hull for damage.
• Activate the bilge pump(s) to reduce any flooding.
• Try to operate the boat to keep the damaged area above
water.
• If necessary, call or signal for assistance.
•
STAY WITH THE BOAT!
GROUNDING
In the event you run aground, assess the situation before
proceeding. Your response to grounding will depend on how
hard the boat hits bottom and whether the boat remains
stranded, the extent of damage, and proximity to shore and help.
• If it is a simple touch, you may need only to inspect the hull.
• If you are aground, assess the situation before reacting. In
some cases, throwing the boat into reverse can cause more
damage.
• Check for leaks and immediately stop any water from entering the boat.
• Inspect the hull, steering system and propulsion system for damage.
• Maneuver the boat to safe water only if the hull and all operating systems are in satisfactory operating condition. Otherwise, call
or signal for assistance.
PERSON OVERBOARD
• Immediately react to a person who has fallen overboard by sounding an alarm.
• Keep the victim constantly in your sight.
• If another passenger is on board, assign them to look at and keep pointing at the person in the water. They are to do nothing else
but stay focused on the person in the water and to point at them.
• Throw the person a life preserver even if they are wearing a PFD. It will serve as a marker in the water and will provide additional
flotation.
• Immediately slow or stop the boat and safely circle toward the victim as soon as possible.
• Keep the victim on the helm side of the vessel so as to keep the victim constantly in your sight.
• When almost alongside, shut off the engine.
• Assist the person into the boat.
DROWNING
• Swim to rescue a drowning victim only as a last resort.
•
Immediate resuscitation is critical! It may be possible to revive a drowning victim who has been under water for some time and
shows no sign of life. Start CPR immediately and get the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible.
Malibu Owners Manual • 2018 • Safety • Page 1-33