Raymarine ST290 Owner's Handbook Manual

Also see for St290: Owner's handbook Owner's handbook Quick reference guide Owner's handbook Quick reference guide

Raymarine ST290 Owner's Handbook Manual Manual pdf 239 page image

Chapter 1: Introduction to Autopilots 8-1-3ST290 Instrument System Owner’s Handbook1.3 Safety informationSetup requirementWARNING:Autopilots are normally calibrated to default settings intended toprovide initial stable performance for most boats. However, toensure optimum performance on your boat, you must complete thecommissioning procedures in Section 8, Chapter 4 before using theautopilot.Navigation aidWARNING:Although we have designed this product to be accurate and reliable,many factors can affect its performance. As a result, it should only beused as an aid to navigation and should never replace common senseand navigational judgement. Always maintain a permanent watchso you can respond to situations as they develop.It is the skipper’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the boat at all timesby following these basic rules:• Ensure that someone is present at the helm AT ALL TIMES, to takemanual control in an emergency.• Make sure that all members of crew know how to disengage the auto-pilot.• Regularly check for other boats and any obstacles to navigation – nomatter how clear the sea may appear, a dangerous situation candevelop rapidly.• Maintain an accurate record of the boat’s position by using either anavigation aid or visual bearings.• Maintain a continuous plot of your boat’s position on a current chart.• Ensure that the locked autopilot heading will steer the boat clear of allobstacles.• Make proper allowance for tidal set – the autopilot cannot.• Even when your autopilot is locked onto the desired track using a nav-igation aid, always maintain a log and make regular positional plots.It is possible for navigation aids to produce invalid data in some cir-cumstances and the autopilot will not be able to detect this.81183_2 S8.book Page 3 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 9:08 AM