An engine cut-off lanyard helps to reduce the risk of what?

An engine cut-off lanyard serves a crucial safety function in boating operations by ensuring that the boat's engine will stop running if the operator is ejected from their seat or loses control of the vessel. In the context of the options presented, the most relevant consequence of using an engine cut-off lanyard is that it significantly decreases the risk of striking a person in the water with the boat’s propeller.

When the operator is thrown from the boat—whether due to a sudden jolt, a collision, or sharp maneuvering—the lanyard pulls out and immediately cuts the engine. This action prevents the propeller from continuing to spin at high speeds, which could otherwise result in serious injury or fatality to anyone in the water nearby. Safety measures like the engine cut-off lanyard are essential for ensuring the well-being of not only the operator but also anyone who may be in the vicinity of the vessel.

The other options, while important aspects of boating safety, do not directly relate to the primary function of an engine cut-off lanyard. Losing control of the boat may be addressed by the use of lanyards, but the immediate risk they mitigate is specifically related to preventing propeller injuries if someone is in the water.