Scout Boats 295 Abaco, Owner'S Manual

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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 exercised 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 con-
centrate 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.
12.11 Man Overboard
If someone falls overboard, you must be prepared to react
quickly, particularly when you are offshore. The following
procedures will help you in recovering a person that has fallen
overboard.
• Immediately stop the boat and sound a man overboard
alarm and have all passengers point to the person in the
water.
• Circle around quickly and throw a cushion or life jacket
to the person, if possible, and another to use as a marker.
• Keep the person on the driver side of the boat so you can
keep him in sight at all times.
• Make sure to approach the person from the downwind side
and maneuver the boat so the propeller is well clear of the
person in the water.
• Turn off the engines when the person is alongside and
use a ring buoy or a boat cushion with a line attached, a
paddle or boathook to assist him to the boat. Make sure
you don’t hit him with the ring buoy or the boat.
• Pull the person to the boat and assist him on board.
• Check the person for injuries and administer first aid if
necessary. If the injuries are serious, call for help. Refer
to the Safety Equipment chapter for more information on
first aid and requesting emergency medical assistance.
MOVING PROPELLERS ARE DANGEROUS.
THEY CAN CAUSE DEATH, LOSS OF LIMBS,
OR OTHER SEVERE INJURY. DO NOT USE THE
SWIM PLATFORM OR SWIM LADDER WHILE THE
ENGINES ARE RUNNING. STOP THE ENGINES
IF DIVERS OR SWIMMERS ARE ATTEMPTING
TO BOARD. ALWAYS PROPERLY STORE THE
LADDER BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINES.
12.12 Trash Disposal
The discharge of plastic trash or trash mixed with plastic
is illegal anywhere in the marine environment. U.S. Coast
Guard regulations also restrict the dumping of other forms
of garbage. Regional, State, and local restrictions on garbage
discharges also may apply.
Responsible boaters store refuse in bags and dispose of it
properly on shore. You should make sure your passengers
are aware of the local waste laws and the trash management
procedure on your boat. Refer to the placard mounted on
your boat for more specific information regarding solid waste
disposal.
Federal law requires that vessels of 26 feet or longer must
display in a prominent location, a durable placard at least
4 by 9 inches notifying the crew and passengers of the
discharge restrictions (Marpol Treaty). It is the boat owner’s
responsibility to make sure this placard remains mounted and
legible in accordance with the law.
12.13 Trailering Your Boat
If you trailer your boat, make sure that your tow vehicle is
capable of towing the weight of the trailer, boat and equip-
ment and the weight of the passengers and equipment inside
the vehicle. This may require that the tow vehicle be specially
equipped with a larger engine, transmission, brakes and trailer
tow package.
The boat trailer is an important part of your boating package.
The trailer should be matched to your boat’s weight and hull.
Using a trailer with a capacity too low will be unsafe on the road
and cause abnormal wear. A trailer with a capacity too high,
can damage the boat. Contact your trailer dealer to evaluate
your towing vehicle and hitch, and to make sure you have the
correct trailer for your boat.