This year it might be worth your while to invest in … In general, a significant lightning threat extends outward about 6 to 10 miles from the base of a thunderstorm cloud. What is a lightning strike? Short-term forecasts can actually be fairly good at predicting bigger storms, but small, localized storms might not be reported. What to Do in a Lightning Storm on a Boat | Boating Magazine On a body of water, that highest object is a boat. Get away from your boat … How Likely Is My Boat To Be Struck By Lightning? Get off the water – A boat is the tallest object on the water making lightning strikes more likely. Wrong. For such a long crossing we should have had a redundant autopilot in a safe, electrically insulated place or installed a windvane. But I wouldn’t want to take those odds, because if lightning did strike your boat, it could have devastating effects. Just because you are in the midst of a thunderstorm doesn’t mean you will get hit – I’ve spoken to two sailors who reported lightning striking the water next to their boat but not touching them. These folks are out on Caladesi Island as a strong thunderstorm approaches. Here are some tips on what you should do during a lightning storm: Do immediately move to safe shelter when you hear thunder. Boat Lightning Protection looks at the causes results and precautions of lightening. Even those lucky enough to come away completely unscathed after lighting storms, with no apparent damage should have a professional survey done just to be sure. Invest in a lightning grounding protection system. Essential Boat Safety Tips to Remember During a Lightning Storm. How to Survive Lightning Storms While Boating. For more tips on boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org. Lightning can completely wipe out a boat’s electrical system and destroy the engine. By Jessica Porter, Denver7 Jul … July 23, 2015 at 2:56 pm. This is when knowing how to read the weather yourself can come in handy. Definitely stay out of the water and stow the fishing rods. Powerful, dangerous, highly unpredictable — all are common descriptions of lightning storms. Storms and Houseboats - steel against lightning. Just keep fishing. One of the best ways to make your boat safer during storm season is to set up a bonding system. Once the danger has passed, check the operation of the engine and all electronics. Concrete walls, floors and buildings typically have metal wires or bars … Many powerboaters like to think that they’ve got the speed to simply outrun or get out of the way of lightning storms, or they figure they’re safe if they go boating only when it’s clear and sunny. NEVER bathe, shower, wash dishes or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel though plumbing and electrify you. By the time you find shelter of any kind the storm has passed. What is the difference between a thundershower and a thunderstorm? by: Ray I live year round aboard a steel River Queen houseboat for just over 7 years. Or, if there are designated lightning shelters on the golf course, try to get there. If shore is out of reach, the advice is to drop anchor, remove all metal jewelry, put on life jackets and get low in the center of the boat. Unfortunately, on the water, the highest and most attractive object to a lightning bolt just might be your boat. You should know the following techniques and strategies. But there are steps you can take to avoid or minimize damage. If they’re moving and breathing, they’ll likely be OK. Hit the VHF antenna and blew a small hole in the fiberglass at the base. The dangers inherent in running from a storm far exceed the chance of a lightning strike. Getting ready to do it again. Lightning tends to strike prominent objects (trees, buildings etc) rather than flat ground. If you can’t get to shore, however, do not enter the water — stay in the boat, even if it’s an open sailboat with a mast. “We will never again grumble about writing a check for an insurance premium.”. By the time you find shelter of any kind the storm has passed. Nary a problem, although at times it did get a little hairy feeling. When caught in a storm. Some boaters stash charged handheld VHF and GPS units and a spare engine ECU in the microwave or a tin box for this very reason. Add ownership and phone information to your paddlecraft or small unregistered boat. Keep arms and legs in the boat. Personally I have traveled through many storms, lived on my boat for over 10 years, and have expierenced seeing 1 lightning strike on a boat docked next to me. What to do if you’re caught in a lightning storm on a mountain Hikers on two Colorado mountains experienced electrical shocks this weekend. Tall clouds with a … Five Things To Do in a Thunderstorm: even if you don't see lightning. Like the National Weather Service says: “When thunder roars, go indoors!” If out on open water or too far from shore and shelter, it’s time to hunker down and ride it out. Tying up under tall trees or rocky cliffs at the water's edge can be more dangerous than staying on open water. Stay low in the boat and away from metal objects. (The U.S. Power Squadrons offers great weather courses for boaters, and there are many books that cover the basics.). When it comes to dealing with the aftermath of a damaging strike, however, extensive lightning strike coverage can’t be beat. Essential Tips To Survive A Lightning Storm While On A Boat. The most likely targets are antennas, fishing rods, towers, T-tops or any elevated electrically conductive surface. Copyright © 2021 Boating Safety. These makeshift Faraday cages have saved equipment. Write the Check! by: Ray I live year round aboard a steel River Queen houseboat for just over 7 years. The bolt then branched out along the ground leaving dead grass as an indicator of the ground current. Just keep fishing. Massive Bolt lit up the ocean surface...Coolangatta Gold record smashed by all 6 surfers! Unlucky would be through-hulls blown out, a sunk boat or worse — possibly serious injury or death. Caught! This does not conduct electricity well. Good to know… Leonard. Anchoring at a coastal…, Told by your fellow boaters, the I Learned About Boating From This series is heralded. This first-person account details what happens when the anchor pulls during a…, A personal watercraft is a powerboat, even if it’s fast, nimble and, yeah, personal, like a motorcycle or snowmobile. If lightning strikes are flashing, high-tail it to the clubhouse or pro shop or your vehicle. Always check the marine forecast before leaving for a day of boating and listen to weather reports during your cruise. Even a near strike can fry electronics and an engine’s electronic control unit, cutting off navigation, communication and even propulsion. Lightning The only type of lightning that need concern sailors is the ground flash, since lightning that does not reach the ground does not damage boats. Lightning is formed by the difference between positive and negative charges. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security if the storm is several miles away. 2. Cruising sailboats typically get hit at least once in their lifetimes. You can't prevent a lightning strike, but you can create a safe path for lightning to travel. Prepare for lightning strikes. Get into your car or into a building. Shannon Kane Cullip says. During a storm it’s advised to take down the top to prevent damage from high winds and lightning. He was coming back in during a lightning storm with a boat load of clients when all of the sudden he woke up on the floor/deck with everyone standing around him asking him if he was ok (he was holding onto the metal steering wheel when the boat was struck). I say, GO FOR IT and enjoy life to the fullest. Immediately begin CPR on unconscious victims if a pulse and/or breathing is absent — there’s no danger of being shocked by someone just struck by lightning. (Florida estimates 70 percent occur between noon and 6 p.m.) A towering buildup of puffy, cotton-white clouds that rise to the customary flat “anvil” top is a good indication to clear the water and seek shelter — or move out of the storm’s path if possible. Florida is often referred to as the That’s if the storm is at least somewhat off in the distance (most storms are about 15 miles in diameter and can build to dangerous levels in fewer than 30 minutes). Lightning kills 20 or more people in the United States each year, and hundreds more are severely injured. • If your skin begins to tingle or your hair stands up, a lightning strike may be imminent. While it’s impossible to make your boat “lightning proof,” you can try to make a lightning strike less devastating. Do's and Don'ts If Caught On the Golf Course During Lightning Storm . Storms and Houseboats - steel against lightning. If you have a metal mast it’s likely that this will be hit first. How do you prevent lightning from striking your boat? To do so you need to know what direction the storm is moving in, so running is only effective on large bodies of water, and when storms do not cover wide expanses. Make sure to minimize contact with the ground, and do not lie flat. On sailboats, the mast can be used if it is made of metal. If shore is out of reach, the advice is to drop anchor, remove all metal jewelry, put on life jackets and get low in the center of the boat. Do NOT stand under picnic or other open-sided shelters and never stand under the lifeguard chair or near metal objects (fences, poles). If there are no injuries and no holes or major leaks below, just continue to wait it out. The immediate checklist for a direct hit is very short: 1. Minor damage to through-hulls can result in slow leaks, and all manner of electrical wackiness can emerge — sometimes much later. Lightning can occur at any time, but late afternoon hours are the most dangerous periods for lightning strikes, and folks spending time outside in open areas like fields or beaches are the most common victims. But I wouldn’t want to take those odds, because if lightning did strike your boat, it could have devastating effects. Ground flashes can be expected to hit from 4-20% of moored sailboats per year in Florida. Never go out in a boat during a storm. If your batteries get fried, you won't be able to start your engine and are without power. Above is a great video that is a textbook example of how to commit suicide by lightning. You should do everything in your power to avoid being in a lightning storm - including not going out if storms are predicted and running in when the sky turns that ominous dark suggesting a storm … The most important consideration is one of proper ‘earthing’. If the radio is toast, break out the flare kit. It’s best to catch these issues right away and get that information to the insurance folks for coverage. An emergency call on the VHF is warranted if the situation is dire. Essential Boat Safety Tips to Remember During a Lightning Storm. The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all boaters to "Boat Responsibly!" Stay at that safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. A few simple precautions to dramatically reduce the risk of your next hunt. Finally, the hazard of being out on a lake in a lightning storm is the boater is the only object sticking up above the water for quite a distance. That said, it can happen and so all risks should be mitigated. Smaller boats are actually more susceptible to extensive damage because there are fewer places for the lightning to go. Went through many many lightning storms, both dockside and underway. No boat is totally immune to lightning damage. An open boat like a runabout is the most dangerous to human life during lightning storms, since you are the highest point and most likely to get hit if the boat is struck. If a storm has already hit, here are some additional tips to ensure the safety of everyone on board: If there is lightning, unplug all electrical equipment. My advice is to determine how your boat rides most comfortably in storm conditions. Some boaters opt to steer with a wooden spoon and keep their other hand in a pocket if forced to man the helm during a storm, while others like to wear rubber gloves for insulation. It’s rare, but lightning can blow out a transducer or through-hull — or even just blow a hole in the boat. Engines can malfunction; big lightning storms can leave no room to escape; sunny mornings can turn into dark, threatening afternoons. A Bonnier Corporation Company. In addition to our phone and iPad with electronic charts, we should have ensured the boat had proper paper charts. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Why, yes, I do. Honestly I usually just keep fishing because there isn’t much you can do. Touch Concrete Structures. If all goes well, the storm will blow past or rain itself out in 20 to 30 minutes. A few simple precautions and the right gear can dramatically reduce the risk of your next hunt from a small boat. Lightning & small boat safety on the Rappahannock river near Dunnsville Virginia: This article cites further opinions on what to do to reduce the chances of personal injury by lightning during a storm - how to avoid being struck by lightning while outdoors near a river. While it’s impossible to make your boat “lightning proof,” you can try to make a lightning strike less devastating. Reply. An open boat like a runabout is the most dangerous to human life during lightning storms, since you are the highest point and most likely to get hit if the boat is struck. If it looks like the storm may only be of short duration and wind and waves do become threatening, along with threats of collision from loss of visibility, but you are close to a shoreline and are in danger of going ashore, head your boat into the wind and maintain a slow headway. If your boat has a top, the high winds may make it dangerous to navigate and it becomes a target for lightning strikes. Related Post Should You Buy A Houseboat? Reply. Absolutely, boaters should track VHF, Internet and television weather reports and make responsible decisions about whether to go boating depending on the likelihood of lightning storms. Re: Sitting on boat during thunderstorm? Being hit by lightning on a yacht is, just as it is on land, a fairly unusual and improbable event. There is a mistaken belief that being in the water is safer, but lightning can just as easily strike water (or the electrical charge can be carried through water), and if you’re struck and rendered unconscious, you don’t want to be in the water. You should turn your engine on to make sure you keep full control over your vessel, even when you lose the mast and batteries. Came in by order of cowardice about 6 were behind me.On top of beach I turned to ocean. From the rod or mast, run a heavy copper wire (#8AWG) to a metal keel. And the chance of being hit by lightning, while not a pleasing thought, is relatively remote. In this article, an installment of the I Learned About Boating From This series, the first-person account of a dangerous situation develops because the skipper ignored…, In this article, an installment of the I Learned About Boating From This series, the first-person account of mis-handling the anchor is re-rold. But most of the time, we experience them in the safety of our homes. Lightning storms are terrifying at the best of times. Rain and electricity falling from the sky, loud thunderclaps and dark skies are just some of the reasons lightning storms are no fun. Larger boats with cabins are relatively safe, particularly when a lightning protection system is properly installed. Many years ago we were on the docks at the marina on Lake Monroe when someone decided to dodge a storm by outrunning it on the lake instead of heading to closest land. Living on the edge Weather takes on a special meaning at sea. has a number of first-person storm stories archived online: boatus.com/seaworthy/swthunder). The lightning usually passes by quickly. Lowering antennas, towers, fishing rods and outriggers is also advised, unless they’re part of a designated lightning-protection system. During a recent storm like that the question came up: Is a houseboat safe in lightning? The same can happen on land. It’s only on FB that my steel boat, however, is not considered in its entirety a Faraday cage, but is a horrible lightning attractor and death trap. Lightning strikes when the electrical potential becomes greater than the resistance (insulation) of the air, and forces a conductive path to earth (ground or water surface) and … - If you are fishing or swimming, get out and move away from shore. Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Obvious damage will need to be assessed and set right. Getting ready to do it again. To equip your boat with lightning protection, the following system needs to be installed: A sharp pointed rod (lightning rod) at the top of the highest point of the boat has to be connected with a good conductor of electricity. Some boaters also like to disconnect the connections and power leads to their antennas and other electronics, which are often damaged or destroyed during a strike or near strike. We all learn in grade school that lightning seeks the highest point, and on the water that’s the top of the boat — typically a mast, antenna, Bimini top, fishing rod in a vertical rod holder or even the tallest person in an open boat. When lightning strikes, finding the right shelter may not always be easy. Check out these 29 strategies for surviving lightning strikes when boating. Do NOT bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing. This could be a building with electricity and plumbing, or an enclosed metal-topped vehicle with the windows rolled up. If yours is the only boat in the area during a lightning storm, the odds of being struck go way up, leaving you and your crew vulnerable to millions of volts raining down from the skies. An open boat like a runabout is the most dangerous to human life during lightning storms, since you are the highest point and most likely to get hit if the boat is struck. Check out these 29 strategies for boating in a thunderstorm. My neighbors home was destroyed by a lightning strike recently. Hit the VHF antenna and blew a small hole in the fiberglass at the base. Technically, there is none. Ignoring boat engine gauges creates a safety hazard. If possible, find a protected area out of the wind and drop anchor. Take it from a luxury trawler owner who sustained more than $1 million in damage from a strike: “Boat insurance turns out to be the best investment we have made in the past 10 years!” he said. Hit! Lightning struck the pole and traveled down the flag to the golf green. If it has no cabin, stay low in the boat. On a boat with an effective lightning protection system, the strike follows the path of least resistance and goes to the boat's keel or grounding plate. Don’t be a human lightning mast! It’s best to wait at least 30 minutes until after the last clap of thunder to resume activities. Sailboats, trawlers and larger vessels generally come with a conventional lightning protection system built-in, but open boats need to carry a portable pole with attached wire and a ground plate to be used in a storm, especially if you stay out on the water for extended periods or if you travel great distances on a regular basis. How to Survive Lightning Storms While Boating | Boating Safety If you are on the water and you see bad weather approaching, head for shore immediately. I actually know a guy named Paul who is a charter boat captain in Galveston. Stay Low, Avoid Metal If you are caught outside on land, do not stand underneath an isolated tree, a telephone pole, or isolated objects, or near power lines or metal fences.