Too often we hear stories of motorboat accidents, where the driver has fallen in the water and continues his crazy race, risking to injure other boaters, swimmers or even damage other boats. This is not without danger for the skipper either, who sees his boat drifting away, while he remains in the water. A situation that can create a panic scene and that could be avoided thanks to the circuit breaker!
The circuit breaker is connected before starting the engine and stops the ignition in case of pilot ejection: the engine is immediately cut off. This device is mandatory on personal watercraft and outboard motor boats with a power rating of more than 4.5 kW (6 hp) and all tiller models.
So don't forget to plug in your circuit breaker before starting the boat! Even if it is mandatory to have one on board, it is not mandatory to wear it. However, it is a question of logic and common sense!
NEVER SAIL WITHOUT ATTACHING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER TO THE PILOT!
For more comfort, we advise you to tie it around your thigh. Attached in this way, it will not hinder you in maneuvers and will not get tangled in your steering wheel.
Have a second circuit breaker on board, because if the pilot falls overboard with the first one, you will not be able to restart the boat. Leave it in an accessible place and inform your passengers of its presence. As a reminder, each manufacturer has its own kill switch, so don't try to use a Yamaha device on a Honda engine.
In the video below, a Riva boat is seen racing without a pilot in the middle of Lake Zurich. While the pilot fell into the water, the boat continues its navigation, before being intercepted by the local police. The policeman then took his courage in both hands to jump on the motorboat and cut the throttle. More fear than harm, but still an accident that could have been avoided if the pilot had used his kill switch!
