Lightning Strike

ttmott

PhD in OCD
GOLD Sponsor
TECHNICAL Contributor
Apr 3, 2012
8,019
Space Coast Florida
Boat Info
2006 52 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins QSM11
We just got back from two epic weeks in the Bahamas and the boat was home and cleaned up. The next evening I received a call from two of my dock neighbors that the sailboat next to my boat took a direct lightning strike and all the bridge lights were illuminated on my boat. I drove over to the marina and found the sailboat was a mess; the AC panels were completely smoked, all instrumentation destroyed and top of the mast instrumentation blown off. Neighbors said sparks showered over my boat.... So, I shut down all power to my boat and opened up all of the panels and electrical access areas - all looks good. Brought the AC power systems back on line and everything came up and operates nominally; generator started and produced power - no issues with the AC power side of things. Then started mains and went through all of the throttle settings and gear reverse and forward - no apparent issues. Then noticed no Smartcraft data on the Vessel View nor did the gauges operate (they are Smartcraft gauges); not good. Then brought the navigational systems on line; all of the displays started normally and amazing enough the radar operates but absolutely no engine or navigational data on the system; no NMEA data no Smartcraft data. Checked all of the helm fuses and engine fuses and all DC breakers - no issues. NMEA 2000 backbone power is good. Obviously, I called the insurance carrier to let them know what is going on. Yesterday I had the CMI technician on the boat and he spent all afternoon going through the data networks and cannot find the smoking gun nor any reason the seven data networks (three CAN networks for each engine and the NMEA 2000 network) are all non functional. He is coming back today to continue but we are stumped.... Four other boats around me also are dealing with issues. More to follow.
 
That stinks. At least the timing was good, but now the uncertainty.
I hate thunderstorms, my biggest weather concern as far as go/no go to boat.
When we were in Brunswick GA in the fall there was a sailboat there that had gotten hit. Like you say, pretty much everything electrical on the boat was smoked. We felt really bad for the owners, they were super excited, from up north traveling south for the first time. Now they were a thousand miles from home and waiting on insurance and repairs.
Good luck getting things sorted out.
 
Lightning strikes can be a real PITA - especially in a marina situation... I have seen sailboats that weren't properly grounded do all kinds of damage to others... best of luck....
 
IMG_4230.JPG
Our boat was struck by lightning a few years ago. The flag pole took the direct hit and its ground wire backfed into the lake and traveled to the ground for the dock and then back into the boat probably through the shore power or hull transducer. The GPS and depth sounder were replaced by insurance without questions. The instruments were brand new and it was a simple remove and replace.
 
Friends of mine with a 46 Beneteau got hit while at anchor. Nearly every electric device aboard was toast - they couldn't even start the diesel! It ended their season. On the bright side, they returned the next spring with lots of new stuff.
 
That sinks. I hope everything turn out well and you find a simple fix.
A long time ago back when I was still in the field running cranes (the good old days) we got a call that a sail boat got hit by lightning and sank. It blew a hole in the bottom of the boat. Here are a few pictures as I was lifting it out of the water and onto a trailer.
062410 005.jpg
062410 008.jpg
062410 009.jpg
062410 016.jpg
062410 018.jpg
062410 019.jpg
062410 021.jpg
 
The boat next to us was hit by lightening a few years back. It took weeks, but we lost 2 A/C units, our 24 volt battery charger and some of the displays on our distribution panel. All I am saying is keep a look out for other things to fail because of the surge that takes place.
 
We had a storm 2 weeks ago hit a marina across the water. I remember someone else on this forum chasing bugs after a strike a few years ago, so I shut all my systems down during the storm. I even shut off my power at the pedestal. Now, seeing a boat with the bottom blown out, I don't know if I did any good or not. Holy crap. Mike
 
That $ucks!
Hopefully the insurance company will be quick about replacing whatever isn’t working now.
 
Sorry to hear Tom.

I’m sure you’ll figure it out though.
 
The boat next to us was hit by lightening a few years back. It took weeks, but we lost 2 A/C units, our 24 volt battery charger and some of the displays on our distribution panel. All I am saying is keep a look out for other things to fail because of the surge that takes place.
Yes - thanks!
I'm primarily posting this for others to learn / use in the event they experience similar.
Update - The insurance surveyor and tech were going through the boat yesterday and more things were found; for example the bridge AC is non-functional. They confirmed nothing is "burned" or visually damaged which is indicative of a large EMP event. Everyone was surprised the radar still operated nominally; they said the radar is the first thing to usually go. The surveyor wants specifics on what failed so the trouble shooting needs to continue. The tech should complete the NMEA 2000 evaluations Monday and write that up. Still no data is being displayed on any of the monitors which means:
No NMEA 2000 / SeatalkNG data
No Engine / Generator J1939 data
No Smartcraft CAN P or CAN H data
Tech has been working on the boat two days trouble-shooting and now we need to bring Cummins to diag the engines and generator.
So, I learned that as things fail in the future (don't know how long) due to this event my insurance will still cover under this claim.
I get the feeling the boat is going to be down for at least a couple of months...
 
Good to know about the insurance will extend coverage. I have always heard lightning strikes are difficult to know where damage shows up.

Sorry you are having to go through this, but you will find the answers.
 
Update -

With the exception of the engines and generator the trouble shooting and testing is complete.
The NMEA data systems and navigational equipment are all kaput (radar still works which is amazing) - they just finished all of the testing and submitted both a report and estimate. Ends up the entire NMEA 2000 network, Raymarine networks, Fusion Audio head / remote, and all the connected equipment needs replacing.
The Bridge AC controller and user interface is also failed and the HVAC contractor has submitted a report and estimate.
All LED lamps, any dimmers, and any lighting relays on the boat are failed so those costs are being accumulated.
I hired a company that was touted to be a Cummins / Smartcraft expert with all of the diagnostic equipment and I was sorely disappointed; had to ask them to leave the boat. So, we are bringing a company recommended by SR up from Stuart Fl to go through the engines and generator.
Looks like we are down for the summer.....
 
Update -

With the exception of the engines and generator the trouble shooting and testing is complete.
The NMEA data systems and navigational equipment are all kaput (radar still works which is amazing) - they just finished all of the testing and submitted both a report and estimate. Ends up the entire NMEA 2000 network, Raymarine networks, Fusion Audio head / remote, and all the connected equipment needs replacing.
The Bridge AC controller and user interface is also failed and the HVAC contractor has submitted a report and estimate.
All LED lamps, any dimmers, and any lighting relays on the boat are failed so those costs are being accumulated.
I hired a company that was touted to be a Cummins / Smartcraft expert with all of the diagnostic equipment and I was sorely disappointed; had to ask them to leave the boat. So, we are bringing a company recommended by SR up from Stuart Fl to go through the engines and generator.
Looks like we are down for the summer.....

What a bummer. Hope that you get everything taken care of and come out better in the long run
 
Update -

With the exception of the engines and generator the trouble shooting and testing is complete.
The NMEA data systems and navigational equipment are all kaput (radar still works which is amazing) - they just finished all of the testing and submitted both a report and estimate. Ends up the entire NMEA 2000 network, Raymarine networks, Fusion Audio head / remote, and all the connected equipment needs replacing.
The Bridge AC controller and user interface is also failed and the HVAC contractor has submitted a report and estimate.
All LED lamps, any dimmers, and any lighting relays on the boat are failed so those costs are being accumulated.
I hired a company that was touted to be a Cummins / Smartcraft expert with all of the diagnostic equipment and I was sorely disappointed; had to ask them to leave the boat. So, we are bringing a company recommended by SR up from Stuart Fl to go through the engines and generator.
Looks like we are down for the summer.....
That's a terrible situation. BTW did they lift the boat to make sure there were no issues below the waterline?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,945
Messages
1,422,746
Members
60,928
Latest member
rkaleda
Back
Top