How do boats stay safe from lightning?

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Sailboats in particular, but also all metal boats

In: Engineering

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

They often have lightening rods like buildings do. A strip of metal running from the top to the bottom to hopefully direct the current away from sensitive equipment or people.

Anonymous 0 Comments

It’s not uncommon for ships to get hit by lighting. If a lighting storm approaches, everyone goes inside. The ship is a big [Faraday Cage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU0fLnucE6A), so we are safe if we stay inside. Hopefully, the lighting won’t hit the mast or an antennae and fry the equipment, but it happens.