Malibu Boats RESPONSE TXi 2021, Owner'S Manual

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6 Safety | 2021 OWNER’S MANUAL
Operation by minors and licensing
If your boat will be operated by a minor, always remember to
have an adult present. Many states have laws regarding minimum
age and licensing requirements for minors.
Some states require boat training courses, certification, or
licensing for minors and/or adults. Contact state and local
authorities for requirements that apply in your area.
Your boat and equipment must comply with federal, state,
and local safety equipment regulations. USCG regulations
require certain safety equipment be present on your boat
during operation. For a detailed description, obtain the Federal
Requirements for Recreational Boats published by the USCG and
available online at:
http://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF
In addition to the USCG regulations, other local and/
or international law enforcement agencies may have similar
requirements. You should check with your local marine law
enforcement agency regarding any such requirements before
boating.
Safety and Required Equipment
Equipment requirements for coastal and inland waters
differ. Check with local authorities and/or the USCG for further
information about coastal water requirements.
The Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 (FBSA/71) and the National
Recreation Boating Safety Program have established minimum
safety standards for boats and associated equipment, specified
by the USCG. In addition, the American Boast and Yacht Council
(ABYC) and the National Marine Manufacturers Association
(NMMA) work with boat builders to develop voluntary standards
that exceed the USCG requirements. The included safety
equipment on your boat meets or exceeds the standards of the
USCG, ABYC, and the NMMA.
Some required safety equipment, such as life jackets (PDFs),
are not included with your boat. Your dealer can help you
choose the appropriate equipment.
Navigation Lights
Your boat is equipped with navigational lights. Recreational
boats are required to display navigational lights between sunset
and sunrise and other periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain,
haze, etc.). Navigation lights are provided to keep other boats
informed of your presence and course. It is up to you to make
sure they are operational, displayed correctly, and turned on
when required.
Emergency Safety Stop Switch
Your boat is equipped with an Emergency Safety Lanyard
(cutoff switch). We recommend that the lanyard be secured
to the operator and the lock plate attached to the emergency
cutoff switch prior to starting the engine and anytime the engine
is operating. The Emergency Safety Lanyard is designed to turn
off the engine whenever the operator moves far enough away
from the helm to activate the switch. The purpose is to stop
the engine, propeller, and boat in the event the operator leaves
the helm location, falls overboard, or is ejected from the boat.
If the engine is stopped it will prevent the boat from becoming
a run-away, unmanned boat, which may cause injury or death to
boat occupants who have fallen overboard or been ejected, or
to other nearby people. If the engine stops it will minimize the
subsequent opportunity for propeller contact with the operator
or other persons in the water. If the engine and boat stop it will
afford opportunity for the operator or other persons who have
fallen overboard to safely re-board the boat.
• Attach the Emergency Safety Lanyard to a secure place on
your clothing, your arm, or your leg while operating.
• DO NOT attach the lanyard to clothing that could tear loose.
• DO NOT route the lanyard where it could become
entangled, preventing it from functioning.
• Avoid accidentally pulling the lanyard during normal
operation.
• Loss of engine power means loss of most steering control.
• Without engine power, the boat will decelerate rapidly. This
could cause people in the boat to be thrown forward or
ejected overboard if they are not properly seated in the
boat.
There are practical limitations to what the Emergency Safety
Lanyard can do. It can take several seconds for the engine and
propeller to stop turning. The boat can continue to coast for
several hundred feet depending on the boat speed at the time
the switch is activated. While the boat is coasting, it can cause
injury to anyone in its path. Accidental loss of power can be
hazardous particularly when docking or in heavy seas, strong
current, or high winds.
While at the dock or when the boat is not moving, periodically
disconnect/pull the Emergency Safety Lanyard out of the switch
while the engine is running to test for proper operation. The
engine should shut off when the lanyard is connected/pulled
! WARNING
It is recommended that you use the Emergency Safety Lanyard system
as failure to do so can cause death or serious injury. DO NOT operate
the boat if the Emergency Safety Lanyard system does not function
properly.
NOTICE
Many states’ equipment requirements go beyond USCG requirements.
Contact your state boating office for further information.