PURSUIT C 260, Owner'S Manual, Page: 81 / 124

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and carefully to port. Request assistance if necessary. Haul the boat and make a thorough inspection of the
hull and running gear for damage.
10.10 Grounding, Towing and Rendering Assistance
The law requires the owner or operator of a vessel to render assistance to any individual or vessel in distress,
as long as his vessel is not endangered in the process.
If the boat should become disabled, or if another craft that is disabled requires assistance, great care must be
taken. The stress applied to a boat during towing may become excessive. Excessive stress can damage the
structure of the boat and create a safety hazard for those aboard.
Freeing a grounded vessel, or towing a boat that is disabled, requires specialized equipment and knowledge.
Line failure and structural damage caused by improper towing have resulted in fatal injuries. Because of this,
we strongly suggest that these activities be left to those who have the equipment and knowledge, e.g., the U.S.
Coast Guard or a commercial towing company, to safely accomplish the towing task.
THE MOORING CLEATS AND BOW/STERN EYES ON PURSUIT BOATS ARE NOT DE-
SIGNED OR INTENDED TO BE USED FOR TOWING OR LIFTING PURPOSES. THESE
CLEATS ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED AS MOORING CLEATS FOR SECURING THE
BOAT TO A DOCK, PIER, ETC. DO NOT USE THESE FITTINGS FOR TOWING, LIFTING
OR ATTEMPTING TO FREE A GROUNDED VESSEL.
WHEN TOWING OPERATIONS ARE UNDERWAY, HAVE EVERYONE ABOARD BOTH VES-
SELS STAY CLEAR OF THE TOW LINE AND SURROUNDING AREA. A TOW LINE THAT
SHOULD BREAK WHILE UNDER STRESS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS, AND COULD CAUSE
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
RUNNING AGROUND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO PASSENGERS AND DAMAGE TO
A BOAT AND ITS UNDERWATER GEAR.
If your boat runs aground, evaluate the damage then proceed at low speed to the nearest service facility and
have an immediate inspection made before further use of the craft. A damaged boat can take on water. Keep
all life saving devices close at hand while driving to a dock area. If the boat cannot be immediately removed
from the water, thoroughly inspect the bilge area for leaks so that the boat does not sink while moored.
10.11 Flooding or Capsizing
Boats can become unstable if they become flooded or completely swamped. You must always be aware of the
position of the boat to the seas and the amount of water in the bilge. Water entering the boat over the transom
can usually be corrected by turning the boat into the waves. If the bilge is flooding because of a hole in the
hull, the engine bracket or a defective hose, you may be able to plug it with rags, close the thru-hull valve
or assist the pumps by bailing with buckets. Put a mayday call into the Coast Guard or nearby boats and
distribute life jackets as soon as you discover your boat is in trouble.