Weather

[Radioactive]

One of the more serious hazards of the sea is: Lightning.

I am sure that all of us are careful to check weather prior to leaving dock, as well as keeping updated throughout a trip.

Here is a nice reference for lightning:

http://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzo...chive&lang=en&bo_map=usa_big&bo_animation=now

While this is NOT official data, it quite clearly indicates which areas are currently electrically challenged. The loop will give an indication of movement/propagation.

Simply "yet another weather resource", but one that I have found to be useful.

 

[Sandy]

It's a shame no one has yet figured out to harness and store all that wasted energy provided by Ma Nature and family. Marine "Thunderbolt Battery Chargers" could potentialy be a nice gift for boaters on 4/1.

So far , Mercury Mercruiser seeem to be the only engine company who has figured out how to run their engines' ignition off of latent lightning even if the energy isn't stored.

Good link, Bill.

 

[CurrentSea]

I often thought that if lightening strikes the highest point, why can't we have needles that collect the strikes positioned all around area where it is known to strike. Bring that down to some sort of battery which would then harness it and store it and distribute it. We do it with solar, why can't lightening be harnessed? Is it too intense?

 

[cwms]

It's a lengthy process to charge batteries. At best, a number of minutes, and at a specific voltage/amperage. Lightening strikes are only a second or two and the voltage/amperage can vary A LOT.

 

[CurrentSea]

Yeah, I just read that to even we were able to harness all lightening strikes it still would not be enough to power the world.
But contrary to that the sun can provide enough power in 1 hour to power the world.
Guess solar is the way to go!

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...ract-electricity-from-lightning-10162498.html