In this segment from The RV Show USA, RV electricity expert Mike Sokol explains how someone can easily be electrocuted while swimming near a dock where a boat’s electrical hookup is miswired.
And it’s not just the fact that someone can be “shocked” to death, but the way they die that’s the scariest. Watch the 10-minute video.
Thank you for the interesting topic!
I’d like to point out that the symbol you used near the beginning is intended (and trademarked) for Electro Static Discharge. This is not a shock hazard for people, but instead a hazard for sensitive electronics.
It happens in salt water too. In Southern California marina’s they have the same issue because most boats are hooked up to shore power.
This is such an important message! Happened near us last year. Small children. So very sad. Thanks for spreading the word.
How would you check your boat or the water around your boat to make sure it isn’t creating the condition you describe? Would a fluke be of use here? I would assume that on a fiberglass boat the engine would be the source from which the current is eminating.
Great discussion, Mike! Thanks for letting people know about this — particularly the “ghost” electrocution effect since people often think it’s more “obvious” when it happens.
I’m concerned about this and wonder if a working gcfi outlet would be adequate to interrupt any current. I have a battery maintainer that is permanently wired to the battery and is only a 2wire (no ground ) plug. This is on a 20 ft all aluminum pontoon boat.
Honestly never thought about stray current, it would just go into the water,right? I guess I was wrong.
I’m still unclear how a fiberglass boat could electrify the water if it isn’t grounded properly. Of course now that I think about it, I have no idea how a boat is grounded at all! If a boat had a short, wouldn’t a person touching the boat get shocked and know there was a problem? As for a dock (running on AC), if there were a short or other issue wouldn’t it be blowing fuses or tripping breakers long before electrifying the water? As usual, I’m very confused! 😉
Gotta say, I’ve NEVER heard of this. Not even once. Nevertheless, an interesting video. It sounds like this only happens around boat docks that have boats hooked to shore power. I quit around the five minute mark, so maybe there’s more to it.