Paddle King Lo Pro Angler Owner's Manual - page 12
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From time to time you should stop the motor and listen for fog signals if there are any in your area.
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Sound the horn at proper intervals to warn other boaters.
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If there is any doubt about continuing movement, anchor. Listen for other fog signals while continuing to
sound the horn for a boat at anchor.
Man Overboard:
If someone in your boat falls overboard on one side of the boat, turn the steering wheel to move
the propeller away from the person. Circle around quickly, approaching into the wind and waves. Turn off the
engine when the person is alongside. If he is able to grasp, throw him a line or extend a paddle or a boat hook
within his reach. Help the person back on board. If the person falls in directly in front of the boat, the best course of
action would be to cut the engine immediately.
If the man overboard is a non-swimmer, do not dive over the side unless you are trained in lifesaving techniques. It
is harder to save two people than one. If the person is a non-swimmer, throw them a throwable floatation device or
a PFD and try to get them calmed down. Help them back into the boat.
If he or she is unconscious and has sunk underneath the water, turn off the motor. Start yelling for help, even if you
think no one is around. Take a boat hook or paddle and gently probe beneath the surface for the person. If you are
a good swimmer or have been trained in lifesaving techniques, you can enter the water, taking at least one
throwable PFD with you, bring them to bring them to the surface and attempt to pull them onto the boat. Try to keep
calling for help: you never know who might hear you.
Collision:
If you are involved in a collision with a boat, or with a fixed object such as a pier, sandbar, reef, or bridge,
check for injuries and render first aid, if necessary. Before proceeding, check out your boat thoroughly. Check
steering cables for possible jamming. Raise the motor and inspect for possible propeller or lower unit damage.
Proceed carefully to port and remove the boat from the water to thoroughly inspect it for damage.
Running Aground:
Operating in shallow water can present a number of hazards. Sand bars in narrow inlets are
constantly shifting, making it difficult to mark them with buoys. Sometimes sand bars are indicated by waves as
they form into breakers when passing over sand bars.
If your boat runs aground, first check persons aboard for injury. Then check for damage to the boat. It may be
possible to rock the boat by shifting the weight of the passengers and gear and by raising the drive unit before
reversing the engine. If you ground your boat on a sand bar, shut down the engine and seek help from another
boater or radio for help. See your dealer as soon as possible, as sand ingested in the engine cooling system can
cause major engine damage.
If the drive unit strikes an underwater hazard, check for boat and drive unit damage. If the motor vibrates
excessively after striking an underwater obstruction, it may indicate a damaged propeller. If vibration is noticeable,
return to port slowly to prevent further drive and engine damage from an out-of-balance condition.
Towing and Being Towed:
If wind and waves are high, it may not be easy to extend the tow line from one boat to
another without risking a collision. Use a light throwing line with a weight on one end and the heavier towing line
secured to it. Always attach the tow line to both stern eyes of the tow boat and bow eye of the boat being towed.
Never use docking cleats for tow anchoring points; they are not designed for the tremendous loads from towing.
Use at least ½” double braided nylon line (in good condition) for the tow bridle. Make a “Y” shaped bridle to
properly distribute loads. Be sure to leave at least 4 boat lengths between boats. Adjust the tow line to match wave
action. Keep the boats on the crest or in the trough of the waves at the same time. In protected, calm waters,
shorten the line for better handling. Tow at moderate speed, and allow for adverse wind and wave conditions for
most efficient towing. If you need a tow, or wish to tow another boat or pontoon, use great care. The boat structure
can be damaged by excessive pulling strain. You should always offer help to a boat in trouble. However, towing a
capsized, larger, grounded, or hull damaged boat is dangerous. Give assistance to the occupants, then call the
proper authorities.
VIII. Safety