Lightning column strikes a chord

Last week's column on lightning and sailboats deserves some follow up.

First, there was news about the strike on our state's flagship schooner, the Spirit of South Carolina.

"In determining where the lightning actually stuck the vessel," Meaghan Van Liew of the S.C. Maritime Foundation said in a statement. "All evidence leads to the likelihood of a proximity strike which would have hit the water very close to the vessel and traveled in through the propeller shafts directly to the engines. The engineering evaluation of the ship illuminated the brunt of the impact revealing all navigational, communications, and computer equipment non-operational. Any and all equipment that has a circuit board will require replacement, including electronics and engine controls."

This demonstrates that it's not just a direct strike, or "attachment" in technical terms, that can do damage.

Wess Leitch of Wadmalaw Island responded to last week's column.

"I used to rig new sailboats for (local brokers) . . . we always used flat copper straps about two inches wide . . . tied the chain plates all around to the ground plate. I also used to make up heavy wire with zincs on one end and alligator clamps on the other. These were clipped to main shrouds and dropped overboard if one got caught in a storm. Wire size goes the other way — No. 20 is tiny (and) will melt or disintegrate . . . I would not use anything smaller than No. 10 stranded."

My column referred to the use of No. 20 gauge copper wire in a grounding system, but the guidelines I quoted say the conduit "should equal No. 8 gauge copper wire" with No. 20 gauge being the minimum size stranded as a component. Thanks, Wess.

Michael Utley of Massachusetts, who was struck by lightning on a golf course and started www.struckbylightning.org as a result, sent this response.

"While what the code describes 'might' (depending on proper installation and regular maintenance) protect the equipment on the boat, it will not insure the safety of people on the boat. Lightning most certainly can and will jump from a mast to a much more conductive person, most if not all of the time, after all, it seeks the path of least resistance. You are talking about something of intense power and heat, (five times hotter than the sun . . .), and to think a thin metal mast (after all they need to be light) can hold and transfer all that power without some side flash is to my mind way too positive thinking.

"I sail a bit and one of the things I notice is that people who sail long distance, put all their hand held electronics in the microwave oven during a storm, the oven acts as a Faraday cage and protects them in the event of a strike," she added.

Olympic inspiration

Gary Jobson, the grand ambassador of sailing, is covering Olympic sailing for www.NBCOlympics.com as well as sending e-mails through his site, www.jobsonsailing.com. His story about the gold medal race in the 49er Class is a must-read for everyone who loves good sportsmanship AND sailing.

In heavy conditions, the Danish boat broke its mast prior to the start of the race that could have clinched the gold medal. The Croation team, out of contention, rigged their boat for the Danes to use.

"With renewed spirits (the Danes) headed for the starting line about one half mile away," Jobson wrote. "As they rounded the large seawall, the 49er starting sequence was already under way. The fleet took off leaving the Danes in the Croat boat struggling to get to the starting line. Under the rules you must cross the starting line within four minutes of the actual start. Could the Danes make it?

"They were now in the race of their lives against the clock, not the rest of the fleet. American rules advisor Dave Perry was on the starting line watching his watch. The seconds were racing by. Several coaches, out on the water, and even some race committee were yelling encouragement . . ."

To learn the outcome, visit NBCOlymics.com or jobsonsailing.com.

Coming up

Saturday — Mount Pleasant Junior Regatta, Hobcaw YC, registration 9-11 a.m.

Aug. 27 — CORA Summer Series make-up race, harbor, 6:15 p.m.

Reach Will Haynie at willh@thepickledish.com.