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What should be done on a boat during a lightning storm?
If you’re caught in a thunderstorm out on the water, seek shelter in your boat’s cabin, if it has one. Close all windows to prevent taking on water from high waves and rain. If the vessel doesn’t have any sort of shelter, remain as low as possible, in the lowest and most central part of the boat.
What are three safety procedures you should follow during a lightning storm?
If you are inside:
- Avoid using electrical equipment and telephones. Use battery operated devices instead, like flashlights.
- Close outside doors and windows and keep away from windows.
- Stay inside for 30 minutes after the last thunder.
- Do not take a bath, shower or use plumbing.
What is the first thing you should do in case of a lightning storm?
Seek shelter immediately even if caught out in the open The most important action is to remove yourself from danger. Crouching or getting low to the ground can reduce your chances of being struck, but does not remove you from danger.
What happens when lightning hits a boat?
It’s rare, but lightning can blow out a transducer or through-hull — or even just blow a hole in the boat. Plug the hole, get the bilge pumps running, work the bail bucket — whatever it takes to stay afloat. An emergency call on the VHF is warranted if the situation is dire.
Is it safe to be in an aluminum boat during a lightning storm?
When a sailboat like Priority gets struck, one of the paths the lightning takes is down the mast; typically, anything that happens to be close by on the way down can be destroyed: wind instruments, TV antennas, radar, lights, and so on. Fortunately, aluminum is a very good conductor and allows the strike free passage.
Can lightning hurt you in a boat?
A lightning strike to a vessel can be catastrophic, especially if it results in a fire or loss of electronics. If your boat has a cabin, then stay inside and avoid touching metal or electrical devices. If your boat doesn’t have a cabin, stay as low as you can in the boat.
Is it safe to be on a boat during a lightning storm?
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 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.