Lightning danger versus no-wake zone rules

[KonaChick]

We've been caught on the lake in bad weather both close to home and not so close to home. Our first bad experience was heading to Moultonborough after leaving Wolfeboro where a storm came up so fast and was so violent i had my children on the floor of the boat while we prayed! My husband had zero visibility yet remained calm, cool and collected as he drove home not at an accelerated speed but a safe one. We made it home safe and sound albeit soaking wet. Another storm a few summers ago was right outside the bay where we live. My husband had the kids and some cousins tubing and we could see the boat from the deck of our home. A storm with lots of lightening came out of nowhere and I panicked...screaming to get in, really just panicked. Well my screaming and panic got my husband so unnerved that he came racing in, barely was able to dock the boat and when he went to jump off the boat he slipped and fell and smashed his forhead into the dock resulting in a trip to the ER. My point is that we will all be caught off guard with bad weather on the lake at some point and your best bet is to remain calm and get to shelter safely.

[Cristen]

I think you handled it well. I've been out on the lake before when a crazy thunder/lightening storm came in quickly too. I blow right through the no wake zones and don't think twice about it. If I get a ticket.....whatever, I'll pay it. I just want to get home and get off the water.

[jrc]

Originally Posted by KonaChick

.... My point is that we will all be caught off guard with bad weather on the lake at some point and your best bet is to remain calm and get to shelter safely.

Yes, good story and great advice.

Your odds of being hit by lightning are very low, don't hurt yourself or others in a panic to avoid a very low risk (1/700,000)

[Sman]

....A man came running out of his house onto towards his dock waving his arms, yelling at me "this is a no wake zone, slow down!" I yelled back, "I'm sorry, there's lightning and we need to get off the water." He yelled back, "I don't care, slow down!"....

I am on the water front and I would have stayed in my house and yelled, hit the gas! Some people that are on the water front are a bit over the top with the no wake thing, this guy is obviously one of them, he runs "outside" to try and correct you during a lightning storm. You should have corrected him and told him to go back inside because of the lightning.

[Coolbreeze]

Great post and as far as the % risk you were in, regardless you were in danger. The heck with flooring it, you should have pulled up to the guys dock and tied up and ran off the dock to safety. It is a great way to meet people and almost all the lake front owners won't mind you doing it. I have been in the same spot as you several summers ago at night and without kids. It was pretty frightening for all of us but wild none the less. Always have a plan "b" for incidents like this on the lake in case you can't out run mother nature... you were lucky this time but learned a valuable lesson.

[cowisl]

We had a friend that passed away due to being struck by lightning while fishing with his kids. Safety first.

[wildwoodfam]

Regarding the guy who is yelling from his dock - I wonder what he would have said if you asked him if you could tie up dockside to wait out the storm?!

Just another unfriendly waterfront resident on the big lake.

I am very disturbed by all of this negative and unfriendly behavior going on at the lake - the lake has changed - it is not changing - it has changed - and NOT for the better!!

[Beggaman Thief]

If I lived in the NWZ I would have been waving to Glove also but in a different way – to tell them they are welcomed to tie up at the dock and take shelter at my place if needed!!!

[Glove]

I appreciate everyone's feedback, which seem agree with the perspective of valuing safety of human life over that of property. Perhaps I'll find some time to cruise by next weekend and strike up a calm, apologetic conversation with this person to make sure everyone's "cool," regarding the matter, since I have to pass this dock frequently. Perhaps he's got a "trigger finger" if not enough people drop fully down to headway speed in front of his dock/boat/beach....and my case the other day was the exception where it was reasonably justified.

I'd like to indulge the experienced boaters here with one more related question on a different scenario: thunder/lightning storm blows in faster than expected at 6:00 pm that together with the nearing of sunset leads to darkness, high wind, pouring rain, and lightning is striking all around within 3 -5 miles. Hoards of boaters are caught unexpectedly in the lightning storm. and everyone is fleeing to get off the water in a hurry. I see some boaters take down their pole light (running with just the bow lights), whereas others keep their pole light up....which looks like an awfully good target for lightning. What's the proper thing to do in this situation?

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by Glove

I appreciate everyone's feedback, which seem agree with the perspective of valuing safety of human life over that of property. Perhaps I'll find some time to cruise by next weekend and strike up a calm, apologetic conversation with this person to make sure everyone's "cool," regarding the matter, since I have to pass this dock frequently. Perhaps he's got a "trigger finger" if not enough people drop fully down to headway speed in front of his dock/boat/beach....and my case the other day was the exception where it was reasonably justified.

I'd like to indulge the experienced boaters here with one more related question on a different scenario: thunder/lightning storm blows in faster than expected at 6:00 pm that together with the nearing of sunset leads to darkness, high wind, pouring rain, and lightning is striking all around within 3 -5 miles. Hoards of boaters are caught unexpectedly in the lightning storm. and everyone is fleeing to get off the water in a hurry. I see some boaters take down their pole light (running with just the bow lights), whereas others keep their pole light up....which looks like an awfully good target for lightning. What's the proper thing to do in this situation?

Glove, I think you definitely did the right thing -- safety first! As far as the property owner goes, I agree with others here, first and foremost you should have been offered a safe haven, not been yelled at like that. The ticket price of $55 is a low price to pay -- that's even if there were any MPs around to ticket you, they should probably have all been heading for safety themselves!

As far as keeping the pole light up or not -- I would definitely keep mine up and ON. In a situation like that, where everyone is rushing to safety, the more visibility my boat has the better. Also, keep this in mine -- high winds usually equal high swells; the pole light may be the only thing visible indicating a boat's presence if you are between swells.

Glad you made it to port safely and were able to start this thread, and happy boating!

[HUH]

I realize weather can come quickly but we usualy check the weather forcast/radar before heading out. If anythings over the horizon, we stay in. Ive outrun some storms ive seen heading at me and will continue to do so even with the New speed limit. Im glad marine patrol is out there and they arnt tourist guides or park rangers they are the Law

[jrc]

Yes, safety first but be careful out there.

Under normal conditions you are at least ten times more likely to be killed in a boating accident than you are to be killed by lightning. In the USA about 70 people a year are killed by lightning and about 700 are killed in boating accidents.

It makes no sense to be carelessly blasting through traffic to avoid getting stuck in a storm. Glove talked about going through a No Wake Zone where I assume there was no other traffic. Basically he commited a minor property crime to enhance the safety of his family. That's an easy decision.

If instead you want to break the 150' no wake zone to other boats, in a crowded channel, I'm not so sure. At that point you're possibly causing more danger. This means that you have to trade off relative dangers. The fine is still $55, but your chance of causing an accident hurting your family or others is much more likely than the chance of being hit by lightning.

Be really careful, being stuck in a boat in a thunderstorm is frightening, don't let that fear make you careless and unsafe.

[Airwaves]

During a lightening storm I would do everything in my power to quickly get off the water. The Coast Guard Nav rules (that don't apply in NH) allow taking any and all action to avoid causing injury or death on your boat even if it means violating the NAVRULES. (paraphrasing)

What I do object to is folks using a regular old downpour to ignore NWZs. I was going through the Gov Is channel NWZ when the skies opened up one afternoon, no lightening, no thunder, just an old fashioned summer downpour and I had some rocket scientist behind me, blowing his horn and riding my stern because I adhered to the NWZ rules.

Gee, image you're on a boat in 80 degree weather and in danger of getting wet...horrible! So all rules are off?

Right...My reaction?

I slowed down

[2Blackdogs]

Yesterday afternoon was a prime example, with lightning seen around the fringes of Lake Winnipesaukee, light rain, and no hint of thunder. I've seen it reported that lightning can reach out 30 miles from a storm, which is well within Winni range of what could be seen yesterday. It's surprising that sailboats, with their metal masts, aren't struck with every storm.

Lightning often retraces its own ionized track several times in an eyeblink.

Especially if you're the only boat out on Winni, does the partially ionized trail of a boat's exhaust gases provide a ionized trail for lightning to follow?

I think Glove did the right thing, too. But more importantly, it would be better to scan the skies for typical "boomers", especially if you can't hear anything while boating.

[Orion]

Every boat that has a cellphone has an onboard weather radar. Services like Verizon have applications like MyCast weather (probably same or similar on other providers) which allows you to get terrific radar scans of your area and out as far as you want as well as recorded lightning strikes over the last hour. This has been invaluable in determining whether or not to go out and to determine when to come in. It's only a few bucks a month and I find it to be the most important use of the cell phone while boating in New England.

[twins]

Something that sometimes seems to get lost in these discussions, is the fact that while on most days 90% of the boaters are having fun out there tubing, skiing, seeing how many boating rules they can break etc., for those of us who live on islands, we are coming back from the store, doctor, picking the kids up from school. We don't have the luxury of deciding to take the car or wait for the weather to get better. Every trip begins and ends with a boat ride across the lake.

The next time you see some fool out there in the pouring rain, with his head stuck through the canvas, trying to see where the markers are, you are probably looking at an islander who wouldn't change places with you on the mainland for anything!

[jonfinn]

This has been an interesting read. It's made me think about how I would handle it if I'm in that situation. I'm a pretty conservative boater who doesn't like pushing that envelope. Even so, I've found myself blasting toward toward the dock to get away from the storm. They come up fast sometimes!

A few years ago my house was hit by lightning. I was in it when it happened. I was very lucky in that the damage was minimal. But Mother Nature has my attention and respect now!

The thought of docking at a stranger's house in imminent danger is an interesting one. Of course I would never want to intrude on anyone's privacy, but that could be a safer/smarter alternative to breaking NWZ rules.

Is there a protocol?

[Orion]

Originally Posted by jonfinn

Is there a protocol?

No protocol, just pull into the dock (without damaging dock and other boats) and head for the covered porch that most places have. Ask if it's ok to wait out the storm and 99.99% of the owners will welcome you in. We had a boat pull in in such a storm when we rented a place in W. Alton shore area. We were happy to provide a haven, as we would be equally glad to have the favor returned in reverse situation.

[KonaChick]

Originally Posted by wildwoodfam

Regarding the guy who is yelling from his dock - I wonder what he would have said if you asked him if you could tie up dockside to wait out the storm?!

Just another unfriendly waterfront resident on the big lake.

I am very disturbed by all of this negative and unfriendly behavior going on at the lake - the lake has changed - it is not changing - it has changed - and NOT for the better!!

From our experience those "unfriendly waterfront residents" are few and far between. If you're ever in our area during a storm come on in! We have a load of dock space and the fridge is usually filled with ice cold errrrrrrrr....now I'm promoting drinking and boating. Well come on in and I'll start the coffee.

[chipj29]

Glove, I know that on land, lightning typically strikes the highest point. On many boats, the pole light is not the highest point on by far. Canopy frames and such would be more at risk IMO. I guess it boils down to what you think the bigger risk is...getting struck by lightning, or getting struck by another boat who couldn't see you.

[wildwoodfam]

Hi Kona,

I wasnt trying to single any of the waterfront folks out (though I guess I did ) - I know there are many who would have been out there waving for that boater to head to their dock to tie up and wait out the storm. We would do the same - in fact we have as have our neighbors in bad weather. We always make room to give shelter in a storm.

Just seems more often there are homeowners out on their docks letting folks have it - some with justification and sometime without. My point was that we have become meaner. We feel quite at ease to blast somebody - perfect strangers even - to just yell and give them heck.

There is a loss of civility all around us, and I would have hoped that the "shangri-la" aspects of a lake I have visited and call home in the summers (for nearly 40 years) would not have fallen victim to such a negative behavior, but it seems to have, especially in the past couple of years.

[KonaChick]

Originally Posted by wildwoodfam

Hi Kona,

I wasnt trying to single any of the waterfront folks out (though I guess I did ) - I know there are many who would have been out there waving for that boater to head to their dock to tie up and wait out the storm. We would do the same - in fact we have as have our neighbors in bad weather. We always make room to give shelter in a storm.

Just seems more often there are homeowners out on their docks letting folks have it - some with justification and sometime without. My point was that we have become meaner. We feel quite at ease to blast somebody - perfect strangers even - to just yell and give them heck.

There is a loss of civility all around us, and I would have hoped that the "shangri-la" aspects of a lake I have visited and call home in the summers (for nearly 40 years) would not have fallen victim to such a negative behavior, but it seems to have, especially in the past couple of years.

I think we need to get t-shirts made up with "Proud Winni h2o Fronter". I love it!! When you put it the way you just did I completely understand where you're coming from and now I understand what you're trying to say. I agree with your points about yelling at people just to yell and the loss of civility. You've been up at the lake for 40 summers?? You have much more experience than I do to base your opinion on. Let's hope things change...for the better.

[Rinkerfam]

I've only been caught twice by fast moving thunderstorms during my 25 seasons on the big lake. One time I pulled up to a strangers dock and was welcomed with open arms, and the other time I made my way into Smith Cove (destination Fay's Boat Yard) on plane. The bottom line is that you do what you have to (without being foolish) to get out of harms way.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by jrc

Yes, good story and great advice.

Your odds of being hit by lightning are very low, don't hurt yourself or others in a panic to avoid a very low risk (1/700,000)

Tell those stats to the husband and his wife that were struck in Haverhill this past weekend. Actually, you can only tell the wife, her husband died.