# Lightning strikes at sea

**URL:** <https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/lightning-strikes-at-sea/62053>\
**Category:** Scuttlebutt\
**Created:** [January 21, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/lightning-strikes-at-sea/62053 "2022-01-21T17:02:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/lightning-strikes-at-sea/62053/1 "2022-01-21T17:02:58Z")

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![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/f/7/f763ec998c53ef4bcccd857e8d9dc2eda489559f.jpeg)  
Universal Africa Lines m/v UAL BODEWES was hit by Lightning  
Source: Maasmond Newsclippings-

Anybody care to share their experience with lightning strikes at sea?

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**Author:** ![Louisd75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Louisd75](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Louisd75)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 5:15pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/lightning-strikes-at-sea/62053/2 "2022-01-21T17:15:16Z")

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I wasn’t at sea but we were on shore power when I saw one of the container straddlers get hit across the channel from us. The lights on the ship dimmed and some of the ventilation shut down but the alarms cleared immediately and we were able to get everything back up and running with no issues.

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**Author:** ![tengineer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@tengineer1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tengineer1)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 5:42pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/lightning-strikes-at-sea/62053/3 "2022-01-21T17:42:39Z")

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Had a severe lightening strike in Indonesia on a drillship, lightening hit the derrick, it was very impressive. For some it reason only damaged the bridge electronics. Strange.

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**Author:** ![cmakin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/48db29/32.png) [@cmakin](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/cmakin)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 6:56pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/lightning-strikes-at-sea/62053/4 "2022-01-21T18:56:07Z")

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We were inbound up the Sabine River on an ATB and were struck on the top of the wheelhouse/elevator shaft. Blew out the seals on all of the glands. No other damage.

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**Author:** ![tengineer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@tengineer1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tengineer1)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/lightning-strikes-at-sea/62053/5 "2022-01-21T19:00:29Z")

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> [@cmakin](#):
>
> Blew out the seals on all of the glands.

Prop shaft glands? If so that makes sense. I was taught as a child lightening always wants to go home which to lightening is the earth. Of course I later learned there is a reason for this but the original explanation still rings true.

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**Author:** ![cmakin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/48db29/32.png) [@cmakin](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/cmakin)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/lightning-strikes-at-sea/62053/6 "2022-01-21T19:08:51Z")

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No, wire penetrations on the top of the elevator shaft.