Scout Boats 222 Abaco, Owner'S Manual

Page: 69 / 116

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Chapter 11:
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
11.1 General
Your boat and outboard engine have been equipped with safety
equipment designed to enhance the safe operation of the boat
and to meet U.S. Coast Guard safety standards. The Coast
Guard or state, county, and municipal law enforcement agen-
cies require certain additional accessory safety equipment on
each boat. This equipment varies according to length and
type of boat and type of propulsion. The accessory equip-
ment required by the Coast Guard is described in this chapter.
Some local laws require additional equipment. It is impor-
tant to obtain “Federal Requirements And Safety Tips for Rec-
reational Boats,” published by the Coast Guard, and copies of
state and local laws, to make sure you have the required equip-
ment for your boating area.
Your boat is equipped with an engine alarm. The alarm is
designed to increase your boating safety by alerting you to
potentially serious problems in the primary power systems.
Alarm systems are not intended to lessen or replace good main-
tenance and precruise procedures.
This chapter also describes safety related equipment that could
be installed on your boat. This equipment will vary depend-
ing on the type of engines and other options installed by you
or your dealer.
11.2 Engine Alarms
Most outboards are equipped with an audible alarm system
mounted in the helm area that monitors selected critical en-
gine systems. The alarm will sound if one of these systems
begins to fail. Refer to the engine owner’s manual for infor-
mation on the alarms installed with your engines.
If the alarms sounds:
• Immediately throttle the engine back to idle.
• Shift to neutral.
• Monitor the engine gauges to determine the cause of the
problem.
• If necessary, shut off the engine and investigate until the
cause of the problem is found.
11.3 Neutral Safety Switch
Every control system has a neutral safety switch incorporated
into it. This device prohibits the engine from being started
while the shift lever is in any position other than the neutral
position and should be inspected and tested periodically to
ensure the switch is working. If the engine will not start,
slight movement of the shift levers may be necessary to lo-
cate the neutral position and disengage the safety cutout
switch. Control or cable adjustments may be required to cor-
rect this condition should it persist. See your Scout dealer for
necessary control and cable adjustments. Please refer to the
Helm Control Systems chapter for more information on the
neutral safety switch.
11.4 Engine Stop Switch
Your Scout is equipped with a engine stop switch and lan-
yard. When the lanyard is pulled it will engage the switch
and shut off the engine. We strongly recommend that the
lanyard be attached to the driver and the stop switch when-
ever the engine is running. If the engine will not start, it
could be because the lanyard is not properly inserted into the
engine stop switch. Always make sure the lanyard is properly
attached to the engine stop switch before attempting to start
the engine.
Note: You should carry an extra stop switch lanyard and
instruct at least one other crew member on the
operation of the stop switch and location of the
extra lanyard.