MerCruiser Scorpion 350, User Manual

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Section 2 - Getting to Know Your Power Package
90-899883175 DECEMBER 2007 Page 21
• poor operating practices
• sitting on the seat or gunwale at planing speeds
• standing at planing speeds
• operating at planing speeds in shallow or obstacle infested waters
• releasing your grip on the steering wheel that is pulling in one direction
• consuming alcohol or drugs
• high speed boating maneuvers
The lanyard is a cord usually between 122 and 152 cm (4 and 5 ft) in length when stretched
out, with an element on one end made to be inserted into the switch and a snap on the
other end for attaching to the operator. The lanyard is coiled to make its at‑rest condition
as short as possible to minimize the likelihood of lanyard entanglement with nearby objects.
Its stretched‑out length is made to minimize the likelihood of accidental activation should
the operator choose to move around in an area close to the normal operator's position. If
it is desired to have a shorter lanyard, wrap the lanyard around the operator's wrist or leg,
or tie a knot in the lanyard.
Activation of the lanyard stop switch will stop the engine immediately, but the boat will
continue to coast for some distance depending upon the velocity and degree of any turn
at shut down. However, the boat will not complete a full circle. While the boat is coasting,
it can cause injury to anyone in the boat's path as seriously as the boat would when under
power.
We strongly recommend that other occupants be instructed on proper starting and
operating procedures should they be required to operate the engine in an emergency (e.g.
if the operator is accidentally ejected).
!
WARNING
If the operator falls out of the boat, stop the engine immediately to reduce the possibility
of serious injury or death from being struck by the boat. Always properly connect the
operator to the stop switch using a lanyard.
Accidental or unintended activation of the switch during normal operation is also a
possibility. This could cause any, or all, of the following potentially hazardous situations:
• Occupants could be thrown forward due to unexpected loss of forward motion, a
particular concern for passengers in the front of the boat who could be ejected over the
bow and possibly struck by the propulsion or steering components.
• Loss of power and directional control in heavy seas, strong current or high winds.
• Loss of control when docking.
!
WARNING
Avoid serious injury or death from deceleration forces resulting from accidental or
unintended stop switch activation. The boat operator should never leave the operator's
station without first disconnecting the stop switch lanyard from the operator.
Instrumentation
VesselView
Your power package may come equipped with the following system viewer.