southern boating

To determine the area protected by such a system, start at
the top of your mast and sweep out an arc 45 degrees from
the mast down to the surface. This inverted cone will be your
safe zone.
For other boats, especially those without a tall mast, multiple
air terminals would be needed at the top of the vessel. Down
conductors would be on the outside of the boat, and you
should have multiple grounding terminals at the waterline to
prevent sideflashes. (A sideflash occurs when some of the
electrical current from the main lightning strike pathway jumps
a small distance to another object.) This would make a safely
enclosed “cage” protecting everything inside.
All large metal objects should be bonded together by
conducting wires or cables to equalize the electrical potential.
It’s the differences in potential that cause sideflashes. This
would also be true for metal-hulled boats.
Engines should be included in the wiring. Special
precautions should be taken to protect electronics that are
very susceptible to lightning damage. Besides grounding,
surge protectors should also be installed.
Although it is highly recommended that a marine electrician
actually installs the lightning protection, this can be a DIY
project to retrofit a boat. If you are buying a new boat, a LPS
can be incorporated into the design depending on the vessel’s
specifications and, of course, economic concerns.
To check on the standards you should follow, refer to the
National Fire Protection Association NFPA 870: Standard
for the Installation of Lighting Protection Systems and the
standards for lightning protection as set forth by the American
Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) TE-4 Lightning Protection.
Marine Lightning Protection, Inc. in Gainesville, Florida,
specializes in lightning protection for boats. Dr. Ewen
Thomson, the company’s founder, is an electrical engineer
and sailor. His pioneering work has led to a considerable
improvement in marine lightning protection, and his website
provides a vast amount of information on lightning protection
and lightning protection systems.
— By Ed Brotak

INFORMATION:
abycinc.org
marinelightning.com
nfpa.org

Ed Brotak is a retired meteorology professor with more than 80
articles published, many dealing with weather hazards for both
marine and aviation interests.

m arine

APEXPEPPEXEXEXXXX

THE LUXURY YACHT

SERVICE FACILITY

Visit Our NEW Miami location

on the South Fork of the

Miami River just east of 22nd Avenue.

Our Services Include:

?
48842
5&.38

93)*6;&8*6
,*&6




?
97842
(&65*386=

6*+.3.7-.3,




?
1*(86.(&1

2*(-&3.(&1
7=78*27




?
"3)*6;&8*6
1.,-87'4;
8-6978*67

?
.'*6,1&77
6*5&.67




?
*+.87
&3)
6*54;*6

?
4(07.)*
7*6:.(*7

"
%
!

&(846=&98-46.>*)
6*5&.6
+&(.1.8=
+46
*686&2
*66*88.
*67-.3,



.:&
4(-.
6&+8
!.&6&
 *1*3*
&3)
$.)*6
%&(-87

Hablamos Español

http://www.apexmarinerepair.com

MIAMI

   843
.+8

    
$
8-
 8






STUART



843
.+8





$
.<.*
.,-;&=
  

   

POMPANO BEACH

843
.+8








8-
 8