Merc Prop Alert

[CJL]

Worthwhile?

MERCURY - Moving Propeller Alert

Has the potential to be an expensive gimmick mind you!

Chris

[C2 RIBS]

Chris , looks like a safety unit that may help but how bright as most swim in the bright sunshine days. If very bright how does this affect regs on nav lights at night?

[rigi36]

Surely to be close enough to see that you're going to be in the danger zone.

I'd also hope that the boat operator would be aware of the boat's prop and any swimmers in the water.

Load of gimmicky crap if you ask me.

[martini]

Originally Posted by rigi36

Load of gimmicky crap if you ask me.

Agreed. Puts the onus on the swimmer to keep out the way when it should be the skipper's responsibility to keep away from swimmers.

Nobody's going to see that let alone know what it means.

[Anchorhandler]

Nice to see Mercury being proactive but as others have said its not going to be enough.

Look at any commercial factory where machinery is in use..... The HSE would have a field day if all the guards were removed and only a flashing light was installed to warn of rotating or moving machinery.

Generally speaking the only reliable way to prevent injury from rotating machinery is to create a physical barrier between the operator/bystanders and the machinery itself.

As i said though, at least Mercury are voluntarily addressing a potential safety issue which i goid to see.

Simon

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[mick]

We had problems with swimmers round the boat in lake Garda on the campsite jetty they would jump in front of you when you came along side a 50 cal would av been a better option

[hobbit555]

I would have thought the noise, smoke and bubbles were a bit of a give away that the engine is running. Perhaps all propeller driven vessels should have an orange beacon similar to breakdown vehicles in operation while gears are engaged!!!

[hobbit555]

Also forgot to say what about basic checks before putting into gear!!

[CJL]

Originally Posted by hobbit555

Perhaps all propeller driven vessels should have an orange beacon similar to breakdown vehicles in operation while gears are engaged!!!

Oh don't even go there! Boats on the Thames already have to have a yellow beacon when doing over 12knots.

Chris

[Cookee]

The problem is that now this thing exists as soon as there is an accident that this device may be perceived by the court to help the boat owner may be seen to be negligent for not fitting it.