GENERAL INFORMATION
Important Safety Information: The purpose of a lanyard stop switch is to stop the engine when the operator moves far enough away from the operator's position to activate the switch. This would occur if the operator accidentally falls overboard or moves within the boat a sufficient distance from the operator's position. Falling overboard and accidental ejections are more likely to occur in certain types of boats such as low sided inflatables, bass boats, high performance boats, and light, sensitive handling fishing boats operated by a hand tiller. Falling overboard and accidental ejections are also likely to occur as a result of poor operating practices such as sitting on the back of the seat or gunwale at planing speeds, standing at planing speeds, sitting on elevated fishing boat decks, operating at planing speeds in shallow or obstacle infested waters, releasing your grip on a steering wheel or tiller handle that is pulling in one direction, drinking alcohol or consuming drugs, or daring high speed boat maneuvers.
While activation of the lanyard stop switch will stop the engine immediately, a boat will continue to coast for some distance depending upon the velocity and degree of any turn at shut down. However, the boat will not complete a full circle. While the boat is coasting, it can cause injury to anyone in the boat's path as seriously as the boat would when under power.
We strongly recommend that other occupants be instructed on proper starting and operating procedures should they be required to operate the engine in an emergency (e.g. if the operator is accidentally ejected).
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WARNING
Should the operator fall out of the boat, the possibility of serious injury or death from being run over by the boat can be greatly reduced by stopping the engine immediately. Always properly connect both ends of the stop switch lanyard to the stop switch and the operator.
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