Anytime a boat comes in contact
with a powerline a significant risk of injury occurs
due to electrocution. Many times the boat does not
even need to touch the powerlines. Arcing can occur when the
humidity is high and/or the boat is in close proximity to
the power lines.
Before you even attempt to put the boat in the water at the
launching ramp look above you for power lines. Be absolute sure
that you will not even come close to touching the power lines
with a mast or antenna.
Transmission lines that cross resevoirs or other bodies
of water that you may be boating in can pose a huge risk.
Just because these lines may have been designed with the understanding
that boats will travel under them does not mean they are always
safe. Furthermore, just because you have travelled under them
before does not ensure your safety in doing it again. The water
level may have changed since the last time or the lines may
have sagged from the heat or other natural occurances. |
