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ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR
GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS
What is Lightning?
Lightning Protection Systems Defined
How do Lightning Systems Work?
Damaged, Unsafe Lightning Systems
Lightning Protection Certification
Outdoor Lightning Protection Design
Lightning Protection for Trees
Hidden Lightning Protection Design
Lightning Strike Risk Assessment
How to Avoid Being Struck by Lightning
Lightning Strikes Small Boat

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Lightning Strikes Small Boat
InspectAPedia®  -    

  • Lightning Strikes Small Boat on Rappahannock River ca 1950
  • Photographs of Higgins speedboat, 1949 & Dunnsville Virginia 1952
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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. This website describes common lightning protection systems, certification, installation, and lightning protection system inspection. We provide information about lightning strikes, lightning hazards, related equipment, sources of lightning protection system installers, and lightning strike risk assessment

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Lightning Strike Catastrophes for Small Boats on Open Water

Higgins speedboat, Rappahannock River, Dan Friedman, Sr. 1949

Stay off of open water: OPINION by DF: Living on the Rappahannock river in Virginia, we had heard of people who were killed by lighting.

A case close to home and involving the speedboat shown here ended in tragedy in 1950 [the photograph was taken in 1949]: a neighbor who had purchased my dad's Higgins speedboat came to take delivery.

The new owner was excited about the Higgins' reputation for speed and handling. Higgins was an early plywood-hulled inboard-motor speedboat made famous by its larger cousins such as the PT109.

The boater, who lived across the river, ignored Dad's advice that he wait with us until a rapidly-approaching storm had passed. Instead the new owner, in a rush to get his new boat home and proud of its speed, insisted on making a dash across the wide river. We watched him cast off and we also watched a wall of rain and storm rush up the river from the Chesapeake bay.

He disappeared from view, roaring East into a wall of black storm front.

The neighbor was never found. Charred portions of the boat were found floating in a freshwater creek across the river on the following day, and it was believed he was struck by lightning while on the water.

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ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR
GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION
LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS
What is Lightning?
Lightning Protection Systems Defined
How do Lightning Systems Work?
Damaged, Unsafe Lightning Systems
Lightning Protection Certification
Outdoor Lightning Protection Design
Lightning Protection for Trees
Hidden Lightning Protection Design
Lightning Strike Risk Assessment
How to Avoid Being Struck by Lightning
Lightning Strikes Small Boat
WIND TURBINES

  • Portions of this information are based on UL publication 200-81 11/87 and other local service company information about lightning protection systems and lightning strike hazards.
  • Special thanks to Associated Lightning Rod Company, Cooper Road Box 329A, Millerton NY who has been contributing technical content in presentations to NY ASHI home inspectors since 1996. Some of that information [on lightning system material and installation details] was edited for clarity. ALRCi can be reached at 518-789-4603, 845-373-8309, 860-364-1498 and will inspect your lightning protection system at no charge. [We have no financial nor any other business relationship with any company or product discussed at this website--DF]
  • For more details on how lightning protection systems work, see Lightning Protection from Pacific Electric and Gas Company, and Electrical System Grounding and Lightning Protection, Engineering Technical Letter 90-6, Department of the Air Force, HQ USAF.
  • Lightning strike risk assessment: for the full body of this excellent article which summarizes recent opinions about lightning strike risk assessment and safe practices for individuals or groups needing to avoid being struck by lightning, see Updated Recommendations for Lightning Safety - 1998 Ronald L. Holle and Raul E. Lopez from National Severe Storms Laboratory, NOAA and Norman, Oklahoma, Christoph Zimmermann Global Atmospherics, Inc. Tucson, Arizona
  • As we indicated in an original version of this article, a lightning strike risk assessment guide can be found in Appendix I of the National Fire Protection Association's Lightning Protection Code, NFPA #780. The guide considers type of structure, type of construction, structure location, topography, occupancy, contents and lightning frequency. Contact NFPA, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 617-770-3000.
  • Lightning Protection Institute, 3365 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Suite J., Arlington Heights IL 60004
  • Underwriters Laboratory Standard UL96A. These requirements cover the installation of lightning protection systems on all types of structures other than structures used for the production, handling, or storage of ammunition, explosives, flammable liquids or gases, and other explosive ingredients including dust. These requirements apply to lightning protection systems that are complete and cover all parts of a structure. Partial systems are not covered by this standard. These requirements do not cover the installation of lightning protection systems for electrical generating, distribution, or transmission systems. These requirements do not cover lightning protection components, which are covered by the Standard for Lightning Protection Components, UL 96.
  • Underwriters Laboratory Standard UL96: These requirements cover lightning protection components for use in the installation of complete systems of lightning protection on buildings and structures. These requirements do not cover the installation of lightning protection components. Products of this type are covered by the Standard for Installation Requirements for Lightning Protection Systems, UL 96A.
  • "Lightning Awareness," Gerry Schulte, BMW ON magazine, June 2007 pp. 58-60, provided some technical details about lightning, and refers readers to www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/outdoors.htm

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LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS

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