Mercury Zeus 3000 Series, User Manual

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Section 3 - On the Water
Page 54 90-866938081 MAY 2009
Skyhook should not be used when the boat is next to a dock, or any other object, including
other anchored boats. Because Skyhook holds the boat in an approximate position, not a
precise one, it can cause your boat to collide with objects close to the boat causing damage
to the boat and the nearby objects. Occasionally the Skyhook system may apply a brief
surge in power while holding a position. This may cause a person standing near the edge
of the boat to lose their balance and fall.
!
WARNING
A rotating propeller, a moving boat, or a device attached to a moving boat can cause
serious injury to people in the water. When Skyhook is engaged, the propellers rotate
and the boat moves to maintain the position of the boat. Stop the engines immediately
whenever anyone is in the water near the boat.
To engage Skyhook the drives must be shifted into neutral. However, after engaging
Skyhook the drive response is not the same as with drives normally shifted into neutral.
The propellers will turn when Skyhook is activated, and propeller rotation may not be
obvious. As in all boats when the engines are running, it is important to ensure no one is
in the water near the boat and to make sure passengers are secure. Compliance with this
practice is even more important when Skyhook is engaged.
Before engaging (activating) Skyhook the operator must:
• Inform passengers how Skyhook operates, to stay out of the water and off the swim
platform, and to be alert for any sudden shifts in the boats position.
• Check to see no one is on the swim platform, or in the water anywhere near the boat.
When Skyhook is engaged the operator must:
• Remain at the helm and maintain a vigilant watch.
• Disengage (deactivate) Skyhook if anyone enters the water or approaches the boat
from the water.
The capability of Skyhook to maintain the position of the boat in a current is dependent on
the characteristics of the boat. If you notice your boat drifting sideways while Skyhook is
engaged, move the bow or stern more directly into the current to help reduce the effects
of the current.
!
WARNING
When the Skyhook is engaged, the boat stays in a preset position; however, Skyhook
can disengage unexpectedly. When Skyhook disengages, the boat does not hold the
preset position and may drift, causing the potential of damage or personal injury. The
helm operator must be able to take control of the boat when using Skyhook.
Skyhook relies on an operational GPS receiver and operational heading sensor.
Occasionally, due to imperfect satellite communications, the GPS signal may be
temporarily unavailable. Skyhook continues to operate through a GPS signal outage for
up to 10 seconds, but automatically disengages if the GPS signal outage persists. If
Skyhook disengages, you are alerted by the sound of a horn and the indicator light on the
Precision Pilot keypad for the "SKYHOOK" button turns off. In such a circumstance, the
boat will drift with the wind or current because the engines continue to run but the drive
units are now in neutral.