Lightning safety awareness week runs June 21-27

June 22, 8:17 PMDC Boating ExaminerC.L. Borinski

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Storm approaches Rhode River anchorage. Photo by author.

The National Weather Service has declared the week of June 21 lightning safety awareness week.

Lightning can strike as much as 10 miles or more away from the rain area of a thunderstorm; that's about the distance that you can hear the thunder from the storm. If you hear the thunder, chances are that you are within striking distance of that storm.

According to the NWS, an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes occur each year in the United States. From 1979 to 2008, lightning killed more than 1700 people in the United States, an average of 58 people per year. This is more than the average number of deaths per year caused by tornadoes or hurricanes.

On the Water

The vast majority of lightning injuries and deaths on boats occur on small boats with no cabin, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is crucial to listen to the weather on a boat. If thunderstorms are forecast, don't go out. If you are out on the water and skies are threatening, get back to land and find a safe building or safe vehicle.

Boats with cabins offer a safer but not perfect environment. Safety is increased further if the boat has a properly installed lightning protection system. If you are inside the cabin, stay away from metal and all electrical components. NOAA warns to stay off the radio unless it is an emergency.

If you are caught in a thunderstorm on a small boat, drop anchor and get as low as possible. Large boats with cabins, especially those with lightning protection systems properly installed, or metal marine vessels are relatively safe.

A lightning protection system is a cage formed by bonding together, with heavy conductors, the vessel's mast and all other major metal masses, according to Boatsafe.com. A marine electrician must tie in the engines, stoves, air conditioning compressors, railings, arches etc. with a low resistance wire which would ultimately provide a conductive path to ground (the water) usually via the engine and propeller shaft, keel bolts, or better yet, a separate external ground plate at least one square foot in dimension.

This cone of protection extends 45 degrees, all around, from the tip of the metal protrusion, allowing the entire boat to fall within the protected zone.