within the space 17 between the lower tray 16 and the cowling 12 this location also protects the link 56 and the control lever 42 shift rod 44 and position sensor 74 while still allowing access for assembly and repairs the operation of the shift control mechanism will now be described in detail with reference to fig2 the cable 50 is interlocked with the operator unit 48 the shift lever 42 is in the forward position u201c fo u201d the slider 60 is located at one end of the guide 64 the pivot pin 58 is located at one end 62 a of the elongated aperture 62 in this position the detection lever 76 of the shift position sensor 74 physically engages the slider 60 thus the slider 60 is secured in this position at this position the sensor 76 prohibits the engine from starting by transmitting a signal to the control unit 80 accordingly the sensor 76 prevents the watercraft from abruptly moving forward when started as the cable 50 begins to move in a direction u201c a u201d the pivot pin 58 slides from one end 62 a of the aperture toward the other end 62 b but the slider 60 remains still and.