A powerboat runs aground on a rising tide. What is the immediate action?

A. On a rising tide the boat will refloat — do nothing and wait

B. Apply full throttle immediately and drive the vessel off the sand

C. Abandon the vessel and wade ashore immediately

D. Stop engine immediately (protect propeller from sand/weed damage); assess position — if on a rising tide, wait and the vessel may float off; try going astern gently; redistribute weight (crew move to stern to raise bow); do NOT hammer the engine forward and aft repeatedly; call Coastguard if in a dangerous position or if the tide is falling

A. The kill cord is only required when travelling above 15 knots

B. If the driver is thrown from the helm, the cord pulls the kill switch stopping the engine — preventing the vessel continuing at speed unmanned (a "circle of death" where an uncontrolled powerboat circles at full throttle striking the crew in the water)

C. The kill cord prevents fuel surging at high speed

D. Kill cords are advisory only — they are not required by law for leisure powerboats

A. Check fuel and kill cord only — all other checks are annual service items

B. Fuel (level, no leaks, correct mix if 2-stroke); oil (4-stroke: check dipstick); engine mounting bolts tight; kill cord condition and function; propeller (no damage, cotter pin present); safety equipment (lifejackets, flares, VHF, bailer, paddle); kill cord attached before starting

C. Run the engine in the water for 10 minutes before departure — no pre-launch checks needed

D. Only check fuel level — outboard engines are self-maintaining