NFPA emphasizes need to apply electrical safety practices at marinas during summer months

With the arrival of the 4 July holiday weekend, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reminds everyone about potential electrical hazards that exist aboard boats, on docks and piers, and in waters surrounding boats, marinas, floating buildings and launch ramps, and the need to put safety measures in place to reduce risk. 

While most people are unaware of electrical dangers posed by damp, wet and water environments such as electric shock drowning (ESD), each year people are injured or killed from these hazards. Electric shock drowning can occur when an improperly installed or maintained electrical system results in electrical current in the water, which can then pass through a person’s body, causing a level of paralysis that can ultimately result in serious injury or drowning. 

Electrical equipment in saltwater and freshwater marinas is often subjected to harsh environmental conditions that can result in deterioration and other long-term maintenance concerns. Compounding the problem is that marinas often lack ground-fault circuit interrupters, devices that automatically shut off electrical power when they detect an improper operating condition known as leakage current. There are also no consistent rules about recurring safety inspections. 

‘Electric shock drowning is a serious concern to the safety community,’ said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach & Advocacy at NFPA. ‘With more understanding and knowledge of this disturbing trend, NFPA is raising awareness about the need for certain safeguards in and around marina and dock installations, and to develop collective strategic solutions that can positively impact the electric shock drowning problem.’ 

The 2020 edition of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code addresses these and other marina safety concerns by including requirements related to GFCI and equipment ground-fault protection, permanent signage and pier power distribution systems, and other related changes.

Following are additional resources for marina and boatyard operators:

• The Marina Risk Reduction report includes an assessment and associated action plan to prevent, mitigate and/or eliminate the harmful effects of ESD in the vicinity of marinas, boatyards and floating buildings. Get the highlights in a short video. 
• Video interviews with experts in the field discuss changes in the NEC that best serve the marina industry while keeping people safe. Watch the videos. 
• The Assessment of Hazardous Voltage/Current in Marinas, Boatyards and Floating Buildings report looks at a mitigation strategy to address identified hazards. 

Other NFPA codes and standards that apply to boats and marinas, along with related electrical safety issues, can be found on the NEC webpage.