Thanks Mike for spreading awareness of Electric Shock Drowning. I thought it might be helpful to provide a reference for those who would like to learn mores . The website of the Electrical Shock Drowning Prevention Association has some great references and videos on ESD causes and prevention.
This should be the responsability of the local inspectors to be sure the proper GFCI breakers are installed at all dock locations. Also owners need to be accountable for proper storage of all electrical cords instead of just leaving they lay around wherever they fall which in turn could end up in the water.
We had a lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. The region started having mandatory safety measures which included but not limited to GFCI breakers, specific grounding requirements, the electrical box required a shut off at the end of the boat ramp and many more safety requirements. It was worth every penny spent. I also personally would shut off the power to the dock when we had swimmers. Thanks for spreading the word.
Not normally if your boat is not connected to shore power. But I could see a possible shock hazard created with a chained anchor and an extension cord from inside of the boat. However the possibility of that scenario would be extremely low. I’ll ask my ESD expert if he’s ever seen that situation but I’m guessing it’s never happened.
Mike, Living around the water and being a boater all my life, sadly we see this every year. It's more common than most people imagine. I'm not one to favor or suggest more legislation for anything, but I believe more has to be done to improve electrical codes and enforcement anywhere electricity and water are in close proximity. Chuck
Thanks Mike for spreading awareness of Electric Shock Drowning. I thought it might be helpful to provide a reference for those who would like to learn mores . The website of the Electrical Shock Drowning Prevention Association has some great references and videos on ESD causes and prevention.
https://www.electricshockdrowning.org/#:~:text=The%20Electric%20Shock%20Drowning%20Prevention%20Association%20is%20a%20501(c,danger%20of%20Electric%20Shock%20Drowning.
This should be the responsability of the local inspectors to be sure the proper GFCI breakers are installed at all dock locations. Also owners need to be accountable for proper storage of all electrical cords instead of just leaving they lay around wherever they fall which in turn could end up in the water.
We had a lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. The region started having mandatory safety measures which included but not limited to GFCI breakers, specific grounding requirements, the electrical box required a shut off at the end of the boat ramp and many more safety requirements. It was worth every penny spent. I also personally would shut off the power to the dock when we had swimmers. Thanks for spreading the word.
Hi Mike, is there also a concern if people are swimming around an anchored boat that has its generator running?
Not normally if your boat is not connected to shore power. But I could see a possible shock hazard created with a chained anchor and an extension cord from inside of the boat. However the possibility of that scenario would be extremely low. I’ll ask my ESD expert if he’s ever seen that situation but I’m guessing it’s never happened.
Great article Mike. Here's another write up by Marine How To about shore cords and issues seen with standard twist lock cord ends, and comparison to the "Smart Plug" outlets. https://marinehowto.com/shore-power-cords-smartplug-vs-1938/
Mike, Living around the water and being a boater all my life, sadly we see this every year. It's more common than most people imagine. I'm not one to favor or suggest more legislation for anything, but I believe more has to be done to improve electrical codes and enforcement anywhere electricity and water are in close proximity. Chuck