On Tue, 2 Jun 2009 21:12:38 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

OK, hypothetical, but my quesiton is how do you handle being caught in
a lightening storm in a boat.

I have two fiberglass boats an 18' and a 23'.

18 has an enclosed bow, and the 23 a small cuddie. basicly a bigger
enclosed bow.

Where I boat is Lake Carlyle, and it's about 10 mi. long and about 3
mi. wide. Now 'pop-up' showers arn't uncommon this time of year, but
sometimes that little sprinkle can turn into a lightening storm while
the boater is unawares. So while being caught in the rain. the bilge
[s] are on, and you're headed in. the baot is wet.. you're wet. what
is the concern about lightening?

I'm thinking at least sit still and everybody head under the
enclosures. until at least the lightning quits.

What say ye?

Not much you can do about it other than try to stay at the lowest
point in the boat, duck and cover.

I supposed you could install a grounding system on the cuddy, but a
really effective ground system would include straight wire runs and a
through hull ground plate. There really isn't much you can do.

The NFPA and NASD recommend the following:

Stay in the center of the cabin if the boat is so designed. If no
enclosure (cabin) is available, stay low in the boat. Don't be a
"stand-up human" lightning mast!

Keep arms and legs in the boat. Do not dangle them in the water.
Discontinue fishing, water skiing, scuba diving, swimming or other
water activities when there is lightning or even when weather
conditions look threatening. The first lightning strike can be a mile
or more in front of an approaching thunderstorm cloud.

Disconnect and do not use or touch the major electronic equipment,
including the radio, throughout the duration of the storm.

Lower, remove or tie down the radio antenna and other protruding
devices if they are not part of the lightning protection system.

To the degree possible, avoid making contact with any portion of the
boat connected to the lightning protection system. Never be in contact
with two components connected to the system at the same time. Example:
The gear levers and spotlight handle are both connected to the system.
Should you have a hand on both when lightning strikes, the possibility
of electrical current passing through your body from hand to hand is
great. The path of the electrical current would be directly through
your heart--a very deadly path!

It would be desirable to have individuals aboard who are competent in
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. Many individuals
struck by lightning or exposed to excessive electrical current can be
saved with prompt and proper artificial respiration and/or CPR. There
is no danger in touching persons after they have been struck by
lightning.

If a boat has been, or is suspected of having been, struck by
lightning, check out the electrical system and the compasses to insure
that no damage has occurred.

http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000001...7/d000007.html

Having had radio towers, I can tell you pretty much flat out that
there's not much you can do about lightning strikes - I went for years
without getting a direct hit on the towers, then in one year, I was
hit six/seven times and at least twice, three times a year up until
the time I took them down. You can protect your equipment using gas
discharge devices and direct, heavy ground straps, but other than
that, forgitaboutit.