Scout Boats 275 XSF, Owner'S Manual

Page: 53 / 109

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Chapter 11:
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
11.1 General
Your boat and outboard engines 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
agencies 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 equipment
required by the Coast Guard is described in this chapter. Some
local laws require additional equipment. It is important to ob-
tain “Federal Requirements And Safety Tips for Recreational
Boats,” published by the Coast Guard, and copies of state and
local laws, to make sure you have the required equipment for
your boating area.
Your boat is equipped with engine alarms. The alarms are
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 regular
maintenance and precruise procedures.
This chapter also describes safety related equipment that
could be installed on your boat. This equipment will vary
depending 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 engine
systems. The alarm will sound if one of these systems begins
to fail. Refer to the engine owner’s manual for information 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 an engine will not start, slight
movement of the shift levers may be necessary to locate the
neutral position and disengage the safety cutout switch. Control
or cable adjustments may be required to correct this condition
should it persist. See your Scout dealer for necessary control
and cable adjustments. Please refer to the Helm Control Sys-
tems chapter for more information on the neutral safety switch.
11.4 Engine Stop Switch
Your Scout is equipped with a engine stop switch and lanyard.
When the lanyard is pulled it will engage the switch and shut
off the engines. We strongly recommend that the lanyard be
attached to the driver and the stop switch whenever the engines
are running. If the engines 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 engines.
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.
11.5 Required Safety Equipment