The vast majority of lightning injuries and deaths on boats occur on small boats without a cabin, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
Furthermore, there is in fact no safe place outdoors when lightning is around. The only safe place is inside a “safe” building — one that is fully enclosed with a roof, walls and floor and with plumbing or wiring — or in an automobile.
What’s a fisherman or small boater supposed to do when the frequent summer thunder rumbles across our area?
The simple answer is: avoid them.
Most pop-up storms occur in the afternoon, so keep watch for developing storms and listen for distant thunder.
When you hear thunder, the safest action is to get off the water and into a safe building or car.
If you get caught, NOAA suggests that dropping anchor and getting as low as possible in the boat will slightly reduce the chance of a direct strike.
Boats with cabins are somewhat safer, if you stay inside the cabin and away from metal, electronic components and the radio.
Very few boaters are struck by lightning each year, but the highest probability is in the hot summer months. So use caution.
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