Shocking Sailboat Hazzard on Land

[Steadman Uhlich]

I am sharing this very recent news story for a couple of reasons:

1. A young sailor is fighting for his life after a tragic accident that caused 3rd and 4th degree burns on 75% of his body and the amputation of both legs. There is a GOFUNDME account set up to help the family with medical expenses. Details on that via the article, in case any CF member would like to help.

2. The accident happened during a very common boating activity; storing a trailer sailor boat. The boat was being put in storage in a yacht club lot, when the mast touched an electric power line while the sailor had his hand on the trailer hitch. He received a powerful electrical shock that burned him severely.

More details here:

"GULFPORT
A friend has set up a GoFundMe account for John Harrison Doucet, a 20-year-old Gulfport resident who is fighting for his life after an electrical shock Sunday evening at the Gulfport Yacht Club.

Doucet was parking his sailboat on a trailer at the yacht club when the accident occurred, assistant Fire Chief Kevin Lundy said. Doucet was removing the trailer from the boat at the time. The boat tilted upward as the trailer released. A guide line from the boat’s mast touched an electrical transmission line, Lundy said, striking Doucet because his hand was on the trailer hitch."

Read more here: Gulfport sailor fighting for life after electrocution at yacht club | SunHerald

[Steadman Uhlich]

Similar thread with comments posted here on CF:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...on-172922.html

[Stu Jackson]

Every year BoatUS does a story on WATCH OUTS for trailer sailors for just this issue.

While tragic for the individual involved, it was piss poor planning on somebody's part.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Every year BoatUS does a story on WATCH OUTS for trailer sailors for just this issue.

While tragic for the individual involved, it was piss poor planning on somebody's part.

Good to know Stu.

Luckily for me, the worst shocks I have received were static electricity from nylon carpets and tinsel on Christmas trees and an occasional zap from a car battery.

So, to read about the amount of burns and severity of them he received made me think of what might happen to someone on a boat who is touching a wire rigging during a lightning strike on a boat.

WOW! Scary stuff can happen with electricity!
______________

While I don't know the location, it sure seems to beg the question of why a yacht club would allow boats to be parked anywhere near a power line, especially if they do so with the masts up.

[exMaggieDrum]

Sorry to hear about this tragic accident. Best wishes for the best recovery possible. Severe burns are not something to be wished upon even your worst enemies.