Please select your home edition
Edition
Excess Catamarans

Nine-year-old killed by lightning strike on sailing boat - 10 Tips

by Sail-World Cruising round-up on 20 Aug 2012
Lightning strike rescue in progress SW
A nine-year-old boy has been killed by a lightning strike on a 26ft sailing boat during a pleasure sail, while seven others were injured. The tragic incident occurred on Lake Superior in the USA when a storm forced them to take refuge in a bay on the Lake, near the end of Minnesota Point.

The incident occurred at about 5.30pm on Saturday according to a news release from the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office. The alarm was sounded by one crew member calling 911.

Assistant Fire Chief Jarry Keppers told the Duluth News Tribune the nine-year-old boy was found face-down in the water by his brother, who turned him over. It is believed that the sailors were trying to reach shore when the lightning storm struck but did not have time to do so.

He said the other people on the sailing boat started CPR, which was continued by rescue workers who got a pulse back.

The site where the group took refuge was difficult to get to, the fire chief said, but law enforcement and rescue agencies rushed to the site by boat and ATV.

The nine -year-old boy from Iron River, Wisconsin, was flown to a hospital in Duluth, where he was pronounced dead. His name was not immediately released.

Four others were taken to Duluth hospitals with what authorities described as severe but not life-threatening injuries.

Duluth fire officials said on Saturday that everyone had some injuries and the group included parents and their two boys, grandparents and a couple who were friends of the family.

Because of the difficulty in getting to the site, Keppers, said, about 25 minutes elapsed before the first firefighters arrived by boat. Other responders followed by boat, ATV and on foot.

Except for the nine-year-old, all were taken by boat to Sky Harbor Airport or the Duluth Coast Guard Station, both of which are on Minnesota Point, a sand spit that juts about 7 miles into Lake Superior. From there, they were driven in ambulances to hospitals, Keppers said.
.................................................
This tragedy is a reminder to all of us who sail. What should you do if you are sailing and a lightning storm approaches? - Here are ten tips:


1• Don't wait until it's too late: If practicable, get off the water early. If you're in a fast boat and can't get in, you may be able to get around the storm.

2• Inside is best: If you can't get off the water in time, the best place to be on a boat is inside any cabin, but avoid being near mast or chainplates, or large metal appliances like refrigerators.

3• Disconnect the power and antenna leads to your electronics: Many strikes just damage electronics so disconnecting them goes a long way in preventing equipment damage.

4• Keep away from metal: If there is no 'down below' and you're stuck out on deck, stay away from metal railings, wheels, the mast and mast stays, or any other metal fittings. There is record of a boater being killed in North Carolina when lightning jumped from his sailboat's backstay to his head and then the metal steering wheel he was holding.

5• Don't be a lightning rod: If you're on an open boat, stay low and in the center. Depending on the severity of your situation, it's also a good idea to remove jewelry. There was a case reported a few years ago in which lightning struck a man who was standing up wearing a large medallion.

6• Stay out of the water: Don't fish during a thunderstorm - or dangle toes overboard.

7• Lower antenna: Unless they serve as part of a lightning protection system, lower any antennas.

8• Stay silent: Don't use the VHF unless absolutely necessary.

9• Lightning grounding protection systems: Grounding systems, which provide a path for the lightning to enter and safely exit the boat, must be free of corrosion if they are going to provide any protection.

10• Dissipater dilemma: As for mast-top lightning dissipaters, there is no agreement by the experts on how well or if they work at all. It should be noted that insurance claims files show that boats with 'brush-like' dissipaters mounted at the top of the mast have been struck by lightning.

(However, many cruising sailors who have experienced severe lightning strikes report that lightning protection does not work at all against a severe strike which can melt most metal on the boat)

Finally, if you do get hit:
1) Check people first
2) Then check the bilge as strikes can rupture through-hull fittings and punch holes in hulls
3) Check electronics and compass
4) You may want to consider a short haul to check the bottom thoroughly (trailerboats can be inspected when you get back home). The challenge with lightning strikes is that they sometimes leave hard to find traces of damage that may only be seen when the boat is out of the water.

Henri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeX-Yachts X4.3Zhik 2024 December

Related Articles

Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines.
Posted today at 5:59 am
Readying for SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week
All competitors will have equal amount of racing and fun Whether you are sailing the largest boats in the fleet, such as 60 footers Awen and Samurai, or the smallest, like Guilty Pleasures X and Peow Peow, at 6.50 metres each, all competitors will have equal amount of racing and fun.
Posted today at 5:04 am
OK Dinghy Europeans at Warnemünde day 2
Charlie Cumbley leads at the half-way stage Britain's Charlie Cumbley holds a two-point lead at the half-way stage of the 2025 OK Dinghy European Championship in Warnemünde, Germany, after two more races were held on Monday.
Posted today at 4:14 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors.
Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move.
Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts.
Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
Posted on 7 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay.
Posted on 7 Jul
Foiling Frenzy at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! Regardless of where sailors are in their careers, or the reputation they have, everyone wants to be there and have a tilt at the title.
Posted on 7 Jul