I've thought about this for a while and wanted to ask other members their thoughts.
I know you are not supposed to swim around marina docks due to the risk of electrocution from A/C current but what protects divers that clean the hull and replace zincs?
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Fair winds and following seas,
Sid
'95 C36 MkII #1448
At our yacht club, if there is a diver working on around the dock system or boats, the shore power system is turned off for the duration of the diver's work to ensure no issues.
Brett Colville
Ceiba I - Toronto
2006 Catalina 36 Mk II # 2299
WK | Std Furling Main Rig | Universal M35BC
Home Port: Mimico Cruising Club
Turning off the power to any receptacles and boats within 50 feet or more of the working diver is a good precaution. You could disconnect all the shore power cords to the neighboring boats, but that doesn't help if there is some leakage from the circuit feeding the shore power receptacles.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
That's my primary concern, the main circuit. I know they don't shut down the circuit for the entire marina, 500+ boats. Maybe the marina can shut down individually docks, but I've seen divers cleaning boats on my dock while the power was on to my boat and others. I didn't know if it's an occupational hazad they endure or what. I'm a diver as well and considered cleaning the bottom myself but don't want to risk electrocution.
Fair winds and following seas,
Sid
'95 C36 MkII #1448
Sid,
I had the exact same question and when I asked a diver how he knows,[I] for sure,[/I] that he is safe he stated that if you have a dry suit you are protected. I have been contemplating the idea of purchasing a dry suit and clean my hull rather than paying someone else do it.
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
Man, I sure wouldn't want to bet on that dry suit as protection. Sounds to me like an urban myth.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Larry,
I think you're right. The dry suits I've seen leave hands, face and often feet exposed to water, covered with neoprene gloves/boots that still allow water and electric current through. Back in the Navy we had full suits that kept 100% of the water out but even they still had metal helmets and other components (Not that I could justify a $25k rig to the admiral to clean the bottom, still trying to keep her from gawking at the head and galley in the 375).
Fair winds and following seas,
Sid
'95 C36 MkII #1448