Dock Life Guard Warning System

[roncynthiaboomer]

Good morning, I came across this web site recently and was wondering if anyone has seen this installed anywhere or even if it is a worthwhile device or just a gimmick.
docklifeguard.com
Apparently it detects electrical current in water surrounding a dock/pier/etc and issues an audible and visual warning. Thoughts, comments?
Ron

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I've never seen or heard of it in use, but losing a soul to electrocution around a marina area would be heartbreaking so I can't see any harm in trying it out if electric currents are a concern. I could see how it is a concern within many marinas on Pistakee.

Personally, in most locations I have known, I don't understand how people could want to get in the water intentionally within a marina, what with the general crud and scum that invariably accumulates in marinas. We don't have electric anywhere near our slips, but I wouldn't get in the water there anyway because of the weed and algae growth. Better to anchor away from marinas and crowds where the water is clearer when getting in the water.

 

[Tim R.]

....what with the general crud and scum that invariably accumulates in marinas...

Heeyyy!

Seems like a good idea. Our marina is directly downstream from a sewer overflow in the city. Every time it rains a couple inches, the harbor turns brown with a matching stench. We had a guy here last year who would swim in the marina even though it is not allowed. We also have folks who fish off the public pier. It is amazing where people will swim and fish with no regard for safety or cleanliness.

 

[tkanzler]

...what with the general crud and scum that invariably accumulates in marinas...

Saw a couple of young kids swimming off their parents' cabin cruiser in the Erie Canal at a public dock (wall) early this summer. Canals are, well, they're not sewer outflows, but they're not exactly what I'd care to swim in. :neutral:

Oh, and most of the boats were transients, and plugged into power pedestals. With kids swimming in that goop right next to them. Unbelievable. :neutral:

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Oops!

Heeyyy!

Present company excluded!

 

[Mike B1026]

Seems like this might be an issue for many docks/marinas.

" Insure the Dock Lifeguard unit is properly grounded to the dock, and the dock is connected to a grounding rod at shore."

At first I thought this was installed on your boat.

 

[rgranger]

Our marina is directly downstream from a sewer overflow

ewwww

... time to find a new marina?

 

[fstbttms]

FYI- Electric Shock Drownings (ESD) are very rare in saltwater. Much more likely to occur in freshwater.

 

[Tim R.]

ewwww

... time to find a new marina?

Not likely in Portland Harbor; they all have some sort of storm overflow near them. This is the best marina in the harbor and it is walking distance to work for me and my wife. Hard to beat that. The next nicest is directly across from the sewer treatment plant and the SW wind wafts the odor right into the marina.

Luckily, heavy rainfall does not happen too often.

 

[keys please]

FYI- Electric Shock Drownings (ESD) are very rare in saltwater. Much more likely to occur in freshwater.

I agree, much more concern in fresh water.... salt water not a problem....

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Pistakee Lake ...

FYI- Electric Shock Drownings (ESD) are very rare in saltwater. Much more likely to occur in freshwater.

... in Illinois ... about a thousand miles from the nearest salt water.

Knowing Pistakee Lake pretty well, though, what about extremely muddy, fresh water?