Scout Boats 222 Abaco, Owner'S Manual

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12.7 Collision
If your boat is involved in a collision with another boat, dock,
piling or a sandbar, your first priority is to check your passen-
gers for injuries and administer first aid if necessary. Once
your passenger's situations are stabilized, thoroughly inspect
the boat for damage. Check below decks for leaks and the
control systems for proper operation. Plug all leaks or make
the necessary repairs to the control systems before proceed-
ing slowly and carefully to port. Request assistance if neces-
sary. Haul the boat and make a thorough inspection of the
hull and running gear for damage.
12.8 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 cre-
ate 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 re-
sulted 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 ON SCOUT BOATS ARE
NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED TO BE USED FOR
TOWING 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 OR
ATTEMPTING TO FREE A GROUNDED VESSEL.
WHEN TOWING OPERATIONS ARE UNDERWAY,
HAVE EVERYONE ABOARD BOTH VESSELS 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 SHOULD
BECOME GROUNDED, DISTRIBUTE PERSONAL
FLOTATION DEVICES AND INSPECT THE BOAT FOR
POSSIBLE DAMAGE. THOROUGHLY INSPECT THE
BILGE AREA FOR SIGNS OF LEAKAGE. AN
EXPERIENCED SERVICE FACILITY SHOULD CHECK
YOUR UNDERWATER GEAR AT THE FIRST
OPPORTUNITY. DO NOT CONTINUE TO USE YOUR
BOAT IF THE CONDITION OF THE UNDERWATER
EQUIPMENT IS QUESTIONABLE.
12.9 Flooding or Capsizing
Boats can become unstable if they become flooded or com-
pletely 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 cor-
rected by turning the boat into the waves. If the bilge is flood-
ing because of a hole in the hull 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 in to
the Coast Guard or nearby boats and distribute life jackets as
soon as you discover your boat is in trouble.
If the boat becomes swamped and capsizes, you and your pas-
sengers should stay with the boat as long as you can. It is
much easier for the Coast Guard, aircraft, or other boats to
spot, than people in the water.
12.10 Fishing
Fishing can be very exciting and distracting for the operator
when the action gets intense. You must always be conscious
of the fact that your primary responsibility is the safe opera-
tion of your boat and the safety of your passengers and other
boats in the area.
You must always make sure the helm is properly manned and
is never left unattended while trolling. If your boat is equipped
with a tower, caution and good common sense must be exer-
cised whenever someone is in the tower. Most towers are
designed for two average-sized people. Remember, weight
in the tower raises the boat's center of gravity and the boat's
motion is greatly exaggerated for the people in a tower.
If you are fishing in an area that is crowded with other fishing
boats, it may be difficult to follow the rules of the road. This
situation can become especially difficult when most boats are
trolling. Being courteous and exercising good common sense
is essential. Avoid trying to assert your right of way and
concentrate on staying clear and preventing tangled or cut
lines and other unpleasant encounters with other boats. Also
keep in mind that fishing line wrapped around a propeller
shaft can damage seals in the engine lower unit.