Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for assisting transmission shifting in a marine propulsion device having an internal combustion engine including an ignition system, the transmission being shiftable between a neutral condition and a drive condition, which apparatus comprises a shift lever mounted remotely from the engine and operably connected with the transmission for shifting the transmission between the drive position and the neutral position, a normally closed switch mounted on said shifting lever and connected with the ignition system for interrupting operation of the ignition system in response to movement of the shift lever from the drive position to the neutral position, and an actuator moveably mounted on the shifting lever for actuating the normally closed switch in response to movement of the shift lever from the drive position to the neutral position.