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Page 1: Houston Edition
Page 2: Houston Edition

Trust the industry leader to protect your investment

EXCELL Boat Lifts, Inc.

SunLift TM SunPortTMTMFloatLift

-Stephen Heese, President, Chris-Craft

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Houston, Texas2010-2011

Publisher:Jon Jolls

Graphic Design:CAC Designs, Inc.

ICW Publications, LLC6001 Broken Sound Parkway, Suite 510

Boca Raton, FL 33487877-55-ICWRG (42974)

IN THIS ISSUEHurricane Preparation Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Petroleum Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Bilge Oil Containment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Rip Currents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

Pirate Word Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Boating Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Fishing & Nautical Knots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

How to Boat Smart: Navigation Buoys . . . . . . . . . . 18-19

Green Boating Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Waterway Marker System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Texas Saltwater Fishing Regualtions . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-25

Nautical Party Word Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Safe Boating Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Lightning Protection Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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HURRICANE PREPARATION GUIDE

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Make plans early to harbor your boatThere are lots of ways to protect your boat from a hurri-cane. Advice varies greatly, depending on the size of yourvessel, availability of dock space, marina rules and locallaws. That makes planning now for a hurricane all themore essential.Safeguard your car“Comprehensive” auto coverage should protect your car from damage caused by a hurri-cane, including flood damage.Emergency information to keep handyHere is a list of emergency phone numbers to keep handy in the event of a hurricane.Shutters are first line of defenseNo matter how well-constructed, a house without shutters or hurricane glass is not a smartplace to stay in a storm. Without protection, windows can be smashed by flying debris.And once the wind gets inside the house, it can quickly splinter or tear off the roof.Make plans now to protect your familyYour hurricane plan should be detailed and cover not just what to do now, but also whatto do as the storm threatens and as it hits -- and what you should do afterward, when youcould be on your own without help for weeks.Protect your pets and animalsTo keep your pet safe in the event of a hurricane, your choices are to keep the pet withyou at home, take it with you if you evacuate, leave it with a friend or board it at a ken-nel.Find the safest place in your homeFinding a strong refuge in your home and keeping it stocked with the right supplies canmean the difference between life and death during a hurricane. Here's how to stay safeduring a storm.Go early if you plan to leaveIf you are absolutely determined to leave town before the hurricane comes, experts havetwo pieces of advice: 1. Don't do it. 2. If you still insist on leaving, do it early. Very early.Go to shelters only if there is no place elseA hurricane shelter should always be considered a last option, a place to go if you can'tstay at home or with a relative or friend.Finding shelter for your familyWhere will you go during a storm? It's a decision best made now, when you're calm,long before a storm hits. But in some cases, the choice may not be yours.Talk to kids, but don't scare themLong before the season begins, parents should begin explaining to children what hurri-canes are, the dangers they pose and the safety measures to take against them.Plan for people with special needsA person with special needs is anyone who may need specialized help during or after ahurricane threat, either in or outside an evacuation zone. That can include anyone with adisability, serious illness, or the need for life-support equipment that requires electricity.

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PETROLEUM CONTROL

FACT: A single gallon of fuel can contaminate over a million gallons of water. The cumulativeeffect of small spills has a serious impact on coastal and fresh water areas.

GOAL: Reduce pollution in Florida’s surface waters and maintain a healthy and estheticallypleasing recreational environment that can be enjoyed by all boaters.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE WHILE FUELING:• Use caution in filling your fuel tank to avoid spillage into the water.• Listen to your boat, it gurgles before your tank is full.• Use a vent collection device to capture escaping fuel.• While fueling your vessel attend the fuel nozzle at all times. • For safety, have all passengers exit the boat during gasoline fueling. • If you overfi ll your fuel tank, wipe it up with a rag. Do not hose down the fuel into

the water. Give the soiled rags to your marina operator for proper disposal.• If a spill occurs, do not apply detergents or soaps. This only spreads the problem and

is a violation of Federal law.• If a spill occurs in a marina, notify marina management immediately.• No smoking while fueling.• Use containment while fueling Personal Water Craft (PWC) (absorbent pad, nozzle

pad or vent cover to catch overflow.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE FOR BILGE OIL: Use drip pans with absorbent pads while draining oil from the bilges.• Keep all engines well tuned: regularly check seals, gaskets, hoses and connections for

leaks and drips. Change oil filters often.• Place oil absorbent material or bioremediating bilge boom in the bilge.• Clean and maintain bilges and do not use detergents while cleaning.• Remove oil from the bilge with absorbent pads.• Before pumping bilge, use water/oil separators or absorbents to soak up oil hydrocarbons.• Trailer your boat to an area that provides containment before removing bilge or boat

plugs. • Recycle or properly dispose of used oil and absorbents. Contact your local authorities

or marina management for petroleum disposal regulations.

BILGE OIL CONTAINMENT

Report oil pollution to the State Warning Point at 1-800-320-0519 and the NationalResponse Center at 1-800-424-8802. Find Oil Recyclers by zip code at www.recycle

oil.org or call 202-682-8000.Report oil pollution to the State Warning Point at1-800-320-0519 and the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

Find Oil Recyclers by zip code at www.recycleoil.org or call 202-682-8000.

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Why Rip Currents FormAs waves travel from deep to shallow water, they will break near the shoreline. Whenwaves break strongly in some locations and weakly in others, this can cause circulationcells which are seen as rip currents: narrow, fast-moving belts of water traveling offshore.

Why Rip Currents are DangerousRip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers. They are particularly danger-ous for weak or non-swimmers. Rip current speeds are typically 1-2 feet per second.However, speeds as high as 8 feet per second have been measured--this is faster than anOlympic swimmer can sprint! Thus, rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmerout to sea. Over 100 drownings due to rip currents occur every year in the United States.More than 80% of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents.Rip currents can occur at any surf beach with breaking waves, including the GreatLakes.

When Rip Currents FormRip currents can be found on many surf beaches every day.Under most tide and sea conditions the speeds are relativelyslow. However, under certain wave, tide, and beach profileconditions the speeds can quickly increase to become danger-ous to anyone entering the surf. The strength and speed of a ripcurrent will likely increase as wave height and wave periodincrease. They are most likely to be dangerous during highsurf conditions as the wave height and wave periodincrease.

Where Rip Currents FormRip currents most typically form at low spots or breaks insandbars, and also near structures such as groins, jetties andpiers. Rip currents can be very narrow or extend in widths tohundreds of yards. The seaward pull of rip currents varies:sometimes the rip current ends just beyond the line of break-ing waves, but sometimes rip currents continue to push hun-dreds of yards offshore.

How to Identify Rip CurrentsLook for any of these clues:A channel of churning, choppy water, an area having a notable difference in water color,a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward, a break in the incomingwave pattern. None, one, or more of the above clues may indicate the presence of ripcurrents. Rip currents are often not readily or easily identifiable to the average beachgo-er. For your safety, be aware of this major surf zone hazard. Polarized sunglasses makeit easier to see the rip current clues provided above.

How to Avoid and Survive Rip CurrentsLearn how to swim and never swim alone.Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt,don’t go out!Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach.Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.

RIP CURRENTS

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RIP CURRENTS

PIRATE WORD SEARCH

If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline.When out of the current, swim towards shore.If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out ofthe current, swim towards shore.If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave yourarms, and yell for help.If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available,have someone call 9-1-1. Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yellinstructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to savesomeone else from a rip current.

Rip Current MythA rip current is a horizontal current. Ripcurrents do not pull people under thewater–-they pull people away from shore.Drowning deaths occur when peoplepulled offshore are unable to keep them-selves afloat and swim to shore. This maybe due to any combination of fear, panic,exhaustion, or lack of swimming skills.

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BOATING TERMINOLOGY

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All across the country, boating is growing in popularity as people discover the fun andenjoyment that this recreational pastime offers. Although boating provides hours ofenjoyment, it can also be very dangerous if the participants are not aware of the safetyfactors that must be considered. It is the intent of this curriculum to lay out the basicsthat must be considered in order to make your boating experience a pleasant one.

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FISHING AND NAUTICAL KNOTS

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Buoys and markers are the "traffic signals" that guide vessel operators safely along somewaterways. They also identify dangerous or controlled areas and give directions andinformation. As a recreational boat or PWC operator, you will need to know the lateralnavigation markers and non-lateral markers of the U.S. Aids to Navigation System.

LATERAL MARKERS

These navigation aids mark the edges of safe water areas; for example, directing travelwithin a channel. The markers use a combination of colors and numbers, which mayappear on either buoys or permanently placed markers.

Colors and NumbersThe colors and numbers have the same meaning regardless of the kind of buoy or markeron which they appear.

Buoy and Marker Color and Number DescriptionsRed Colors, Red Lights, and Even Numbers: These mark the edge of thechannel on your starboard (right) side as you enter from the open sea or headupstream. Numbers usually will increase consecutively as you return from theopen sea or head upstream.

Green Colors, Green Lights, and Odd Numbers: These mark the edge of thechannel on your port (left) side as you enter from the open sea or headupstream. Numbers usually will increase consecutively as you return from theopen sea or head upstream.

Red and Green Colors and/or Lights: These are placed at the junction of twochannels to indicate the preferred (primary) channel when a channel splits. Ifgreen is on top, the preferred channel is to the right. If red is on top, the pre-ferred channel is to the left. These also are sometimes referred to as "junctionbuoys."

Buoy Shape DescriptionsNun Buoys: These cone-shaped buoys are always marked with red markingsand even numbers. They mark the edge of the channel on your starboard (right)side when entering from the open sea or heading upstream.

Can Buoys: These cylindrical-shaped buoys are always marked with greenmarkings and odd numbers. They mark the edge of the channel on your port(left) side when entering from the open sea or heading upstream.

Other Kinds of Buoys and MarkersLighted Buoys: These buoys use the lateral marker shapes, colors, and num-bers discussed above. In addition, they have a matching colored light.

Daymarks: These are permanently placed signs attached to structures, such asposts, in the water. Common daymarks are red triangles (equivalent to nuns)and green squares (equivalent to cans). These may be lighted also.

HOW TO BOAT SMART: NAVIGATION BUOYS

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HOW TO BOAT SMART: NAVIGATION BUOYS

NON-LATERAL MARKERS

Non-lateral markers are navigation aids that give information other than the edges ofsafe water areas. The most common are regulatory markers that are white and use orangemarkings and black lettering. These markers are found on lakes and rivers and are usedto:

Give Directions and Information.• Warn of hazards and obstructions.• Mark controlled areas.• Mark exclusion (closed) areas.• Descriptions of Non-Lateral Markers

Information Squares provide information such as places to find food, supplies, and repairs;and they give directions, distances, and other non-regulatory information.

Danger AreaDiamonds warn of dangers such as rocks, shoals, construction, dams, orstumps. Always proceed with caution and keep a safe distance. Never assumethat every hazard will be marked by a buoy.

Controlled AreaCircles indicate a controlled area such as no wake, idle speed, speed limit, orski zone.

Exclusion AreaCrossed diamonds indicate areas off-limits to all vessels such as swimmingareas, dams, and spillways.

Safe Water MarkerThese are white with red vertical stripes and indicate unobstructed water on allsides. They mark mid-channels or fairways and may be passed on either side.

Inland Waters Obstruction MarkerThese are white with black vertical stripes and indicate an obstruction to navi-gation. You should not pass between these buoys and the nearest shore.

Mooring BuoyThese are white with a blue horizontal band. They usually are placed in mari-nas and other areas where vessels are allowed to anchor. These are the onlybuoys you may tie up to legally.

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1. Choose Green Products: Look for theEPA-certified “Design for the Environ -ment” DfE label, which assures you that theproduct has minimal environmental im pactand is safer for the person using it. Benefit:Safer products. Reduce water pollution.

2. Use The Right Prop: Use a prop with theright pitch so your engine reaches itsdesigned wide-open-throttle RPM. Anadjustable-pitch propellerallows you to dialin the optimum pitch angle in single degrees.Modular props, let you swap props whilekeeping the same hub. Benefit: Reduce fuelconsumption, improve performance.

3. Don’t Push Water: Install and use trimtabs or hydrofoils. Most planing power-boats can improve hole-shot accelerationor reduce fuel consumption with properlyadjusted trim tabs and hydrofoils. Keepingon a plane at lower engine RPMs canextend your range and reduce your time onpassages. Benefit: Improve boat perform-ance & save gas.

4. Keep The Bilge Clean: Avoid the acci-dental discharge of oily water by using asorbent in each bilge area. Consider a biore-mediation product designed to converthydrocarbons into safe compounds Benefit:Safer products. Reduce water pollution

5. Retire That 2-Stroke Outboard:Although it may be possible to get a fewmore years out of your old-technology out-board, you’ll be much happier with thereduced noise, fumes, fuel consumption,and pollution of a modern injected four-stroke outboard. For an even quieter ride,try an electric outboard. Benefit: Save gasand reduce water pollution.

6. Recycle your Lead-Acid Batteries:12V batteries are among the most recycledproducts in the world. Benefit: Savemoney and conserve resources. *Amountvaries by state.

Looking for ways to be more eco-friendly when you're out on the water? Following aretips and information that will help you minimize your impact on the environment whilemaximizing the efficiency and performance of your boat.

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GREEN BOATING TIPS

7. Prevent Fuel Spills: Use or install adevice to prevent overboard dischargesfrom your tank vent. Benefit: Save gas andreduce water pollution

8. Use an autopilot: Modern autopilotscan steer better than most helmspersons—and they don’t have a limited attentionspan. Benefit: Reduce fuel consumption

9. Recycle Your Monofilament FishingLine: If your harbor doesn’t have a recy-cling location, see the website fishing-linerecycling.org.

10. Eat Responsibly Harvested Seafood:Choose sustainable seafood at a restau-rants or grocery stores to ensure that thefish stocks are plentiful for your childrenand for generations to come.

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WATERWAY MARKER SYSTEM

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Texas State Waters - Federal WatersTexas recreational and commercial fishermen fishing more than nine (9) nautical miles off thecoast of Texas are in federal waters and are subject to rules and regulations that may differ fromthose in state waters. An example would be the federal requirement to use non-stainless circlehooks when fishing for reef fish. Recreational anglers must have a Texas fishing license and salt-water endorsement to bring any fish taken in federal waters ashore in Texas. To ensure that you arein compliance with federal regulations, you should contact the Gulf of Mexico FisheryManagement Council at (888) 833-1844 (toll free) or visit their websiteThe limits and restrictions in this guide apply to aquatic life caught in the public waters of Texasout to nine (9) nautical miles in the Gulf of Mexico, and also apply to aquatic life caught between9 and 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and landed in this state. (Federallaw also regulates species between 9 and 200 nautical miles managed under a Federal FisheryManagement Plan.)Bag and Length Limits for Saltwater FishDaily bag is the quantity of a species of a wildlife resource that may be taken in one day.Possession limit is twice the daily bag on game and nongame fish, except as provided in thisguide. Possession limit does not apply to wildlife resources in the possession of or stored by a per-son at their permanent residence. There are no bag, possession, or length limits on game ornongame fish, except as listed in this guide.

TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REGULATIONS

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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REGULATIONS

a Black Drum: No more than one black drum over 52 inches may be retained per person per day and counts as part of thedaily bag and possession limit.

b Red drum special regulation: During a license year, one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may be retainedwhen affixed with a properly completed Red Drum Tag and one red drum over the stated maximum length limit may beretained when affixed with a properly completed Bonus Red Drum Tag. Any fish retained under authority of a Red Drum Tagor a Bonus Red Drum Tag may be retained in addition to the daily bag and possession limit as stated in this section.

c Flounder special regulation: Daily bag is 5 fish except for the period Nov. 1-30 when the daily bag is 2 fish and floundermay be taken only by pole and line. Possession limit is equal to the daily bag..

d Mullet: May not take from public waters, or possess on board a boat, mullet over 12 inches during October, November,December, and January. No limits apply during other months.

e Spotted Seatrout: Special Regulation: For the Lower Laguna Madre, the daily bag limit and the possession limit shall be 5fish in all inside waters south of marker 21 located inside the area known as the Land Cut. Inside waters are all bays, inlets,outlets, passes, rivers, streams, and other bodies of water landward from the shoreline of the state along the Gulf of Mexicoand contiguous to, or connected with, but not a part of, the Gulf of Mexico and within which the tide regularly rises and falls.

f Spotted Seatrout: No more than one spotted seatrout over the stated maximum length may be retained per person per dayand counts as part of the daily bag and possession limit.

g Special Regulation: the daily bag limit is 1 fish for all allowable shark species INCLUDING Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip,and bonnethead.

h Prohibited shark species: Atlantic angel, Basking Bigeye sand tiger, Bigeye sixgill, Bigeye thresher, Bignose, Caribbean reef,Caribbean sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Sandbar, Sand tiger, Sevengill, Silky, Sixgill,Smalltail, Whale, and White.

i Special Regulation: Red snapper may be taken using pole and line, but it is unlawful to use any kind of hook other than acircle hook.

Nautical Party Word Search

ANCHORBLUEBOATCAPTAINDOCKSFISHINGHARBOROCEANSAILINGSEASEAGULLSHIPSTAR

BOARDVOYAGEWATER

M E T D B K O N L S Q K T Q U O I C E I P S A Z LD D P V K H O B T Q W H P A N A P B P T V J X K HT N J G P G S T O T E A L Q O H M S D B R V U K DL L F I Y Q Q I L Y K E T X P B Z O V N Y K J D VB T E Y R C Y F H Z G P N R F W N I S I K Z W V LQ Y M A L Y L N C B B S N V C D X W K C X S R F AD O K H E Z V O Y A G E O K G V D S O O L U R K MC N S B Y L O W T Q L D K S S E A N I Y S S G S EA P F G L Z O C O B M F W S B Z H G J Q T Y G K TK N U J H R O L Z Z U O R L K X P Z B E G G P T EY Q C O E Y V T P X N O I G Y Q I M M O Y B L Z IL N N H I K Z I R N B N K S V S H T B R O G V G NH L B O O V B Y K R A Q X V Y L S B X P F W K Q VE C U V S R E T A W L A A E B I C K D V J J M O BY U T G E I R H A V E S M F A T M H C G S B N L SU N Y U A F E P G S J T D T I W B A X N J H F L WQ D L E N E J X A P N A N M D C P K A I C V P P CT B F X Z A S A R G L R C V O T E A Q H Q N Z G OV A E V F T A R S G Q B Q C A D R G G S A T E X YR Z F S H E T Y K C L O E I K O M K S I I A I N GG N I L I A S D L A O A N E V C U X J F V N V L FS K P M T B Q K A C N R G Y R K T T E C G X T G OG L P P D Y W U S Y T D R R N S X X J Q D K F B DY L I Z R T E I E S B Q R A Y S L D O I O E M L UE Y I V F K C U J Z Q X J K I H X U O N U O C S Y

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MOBILE INSURANCE

Commercial BoatsRental BoatsPrivate BoatsMarinas

MOBILE MARINE INSURANCE

Serv ice@Mobi leAgency.com

800-458-4320 (tel)281-292-7429 (fax)

www.MobileMarineInsurance.com

Great Insurance RatesGreat Insurance RatesMOBILE MARINE INSURANCE

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SAFE BOATING CHECKLIST

• Float plan - let a friend know when you're leaving, where you're going, when youexpect to return, what to do if you don't, and a description of your boat

• Charts of the area and compasses • Registration certificate or documentation • Personal Flotation Devices (wearable and throwable) - cg approved, good condition,

readily accessible, assigned and fitted • Fire Extinguishers - right number, size, and class for boat; charged, not corroded,

nozzle clear, bracketed, readily accessible • Visual Distress Signals - current dates on pyros, proper number, batteries good if

lights or epirb • Anchors and Line - adequate anchor for bottom, adequate line for water depth • DeWatering device - bilge pump operable, alternative bailing device available • Watch or clock - operable • Boarding ladder (or other means of boarding) • Heaving lines - at least 30 feet with monkey fist • Mooring lines - bow, stern, and spring lines, preferably three-stranded nylon with an

eye in one end and of adequate length for your boat and mooring conditions • Bright flashlight or searchlight • Navigation lights - tested and operable, spare bulbs • Batteries - fully charged, encased in plastic boxes or terminals covered, securely

fastened down • Sound producing device - horn, whistle appropriate for boat • Alternate propulsion - paddle or oar • Boat hook(s) • FCC license - if VHF radio, radar, epirb or other transmitter aboard and you plan to

enter a foreign country• Oil discharge and trash placards affixed - if required by boat size • Bell - if required by boat size • First Aid Kit • Gauges - functional and reading properly • Ventilation - power ventilation operable (blower) and natural ventilations cowls

open and clear • Tools and spare parts • Depth sounder, lead line, or sounding pole • Compass • Copy of Colregs (NavRules) - if required by boat size• Spare propeller and lock nut • Sunscreen and sunhat• Extra clothing...wool sweater, gloves, socks and other articles for warming if

temperature drops or someone gets wet • Binoculars • AM radio...static on AM forewarns of nearby lightning• Drinking water• Personal needs like prescription drugs

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LIGHTNING PROTECTION GUIDE

Even though the odds are in your favor thatyour boat may never be hit by lightning, if ithappens it can have devastating effects.Don’t take a chance, protect yourself. If youare in a small boat and close to shore when athunderstorm approaches, get in and off thewater immediately. Better yet, don't go out ifthunderstorms are predicted. But what if youare miles offshore and a storm pops up?Hopefully, you have prepared in advance.

The voltages involved in lightning are sohigh that even materials that would normallybe considered non-conductive become con-ductors, including the human body. The volt-ages are so massive that if they start to travelthrough a boat's structure - say through itsmast - then meet with high resistance (forinstance, the hull skin) the current discharge,in its attempt to reach ground, may simplyblow a hole in the non-conductive barrier.The safety conscious Captain should makesure that his vessel is properly protected.

In theory, a lightning protection system isused to create what is know as a “Faraday’scage,” so called after the late nineteenth-cen-tury scientist Michael Faraday. The principleis to provide a surrounding, well-grounded,metal structure, in which all of parts arebonded together and carry the same electricalpotential. Such a “cage” attracts and carriesany lightning strike to ground much likelightning rods on buildings. You need to pro-vide an unobstructed way for the lightning todissipate its energy to ground (the water sur-rounding you). The additional benefit of alightning protection system is that it tends tobleed off any charge build-up in the generalvicinity, possibly averting a lightning strikein the first place.

So how does a lightning protection systemwork? In a boat, the “cage” is formed bybonding together, with heavy conductors, the

vessel's mastand all othermajor metalmasses. Amarine electri-cian must tie inthe engines,stoves, air con-ditioning com-pressors, rail-ings, arches etc.with a lowresistance wire which would ultimately pro-vide a conductive path to ground (the water)usually via the engine and propeller shaft, keelbolts, or better yet, a separate external groundplate at least 1 sq. ft. in dimension. It is impor-tant that you ensure that your crew fall withinthe protection of the cage,” something notalways feasible when the vessel is not built ofsteel or aluminum. On fiberglass or woodenboats it is advantageous to have a mast orother conductive metal protrusion extendingwell above the vessel, creating what is knownas a “cone” or zone of protection.

It is generally accepted that this cone of pro-tection extends 45 degrees, all around, fromthe tip of the metal protrusion. If the alu-minum mast of the average sailing vessel isproperly bonded to the vessel’s other majormetal masses and is given a direct, low-resist-ance conductive path to ground, the entire boatshould fall within the protected zone. If thevessel has a wooden or composite mast, amarine electrician can achieve the same effectby installing a 6 to 12 inch metal spike at thetop and running a heavy conductor down themast and as directly as possible to ground,usually through the engine and propeller shaft.Again, refer to the ABYC standards and havea professional marine electrician install yourlightning protection.This is not a do-it-yourselfproject.

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PRO-TECTPlastics & Supply, Inc.

America’s Shrink Wrap Store

(800) 889-WRAP

www.shrinkwrapboats.com

INDEX

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The worlds leader in aftermarket fiberglass swim platforms

www.swimplatforms.com

Alaska Fishing Destination, Wing Shooting, Big Game Hunting, Wildlife ViewingAll Alaska Outdoors Lodge ................................................................................. 8 & 9

Boat Lifts and DocksEXCELL Boat Lifts, Inc. ............................................................................................ 2

Boat Lifts, Boat Docks, Boat Houses and BulkheadsDockside Boat Lifts, Inc. .......................................................................................... 20

Boat Lifts, Dock Products and Pier ProductsBoat Hoist ................................................................................................................. 28

Boat Ownership AlternativeCarefree Boat Club ................................................................................................... 22

Bow and Stern Thrusters, Stabilizers, Swim PlatformsS.W.A.T. Marine, Inc. ............................................................................................... 12

Dock Building Materials & AccessoriesDock Floats, Ltd........................................................................................................ 16

Fiberglass Swim PlatformsSwim Platforms ............................................................................................... 28 & 30

Maritime Law, Business Litigations, Personal Injury and Product LiabilityCollings LawFirm, PLLC ............................................................................... 27 & 28

Marine Insurance, Boats and MarinasMobile Marine Insurance .......................................................................................... 26

Marine Products On-LineCarsey Marine.com ................................................................................................... 26

Outdoor and Underwater Lighting, Energy Saving, Eco-friendlyAurora Lighting ................................................................................................ 14 & 15

Precision Bearings for Fishing ReelsBoca Bearings ........................................................................................................... 21

Satellite Phones, Electric Outboard MotorsGardline Communications, Inc. .................................................................................. 4

Shrinkwrap ProtectionPro-Tect Plastics & Supply, Inc......................................................................... 6 & 30

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