This year’s update includes 2 new deaths. We like to send this update at this time each year when swimming weather is upon us. This information and list is maintained and provided by Quality Marine Services, LLC in Jacksonville, FL. If you have any questions or for more information please contact: David Rifkin 904-382-7868 qualitymarinesvcs@comcast.net. Jim Shafer, the originator of this list is currently unable to participate in this area.

Electric Shock Drowning Incidents – Marinas©
(In-Water electrocution fatalities included)
Rev. 8/27/14

Low level ground fault leakage in the marina AC shore power system can cause lethal potentials to appear on any underwater metal surface – either on a boat or on the dock. In fresh water the electric field surrounding this surface can paralyze a swimmer. There is no warning that this condition exists, and it has resulted in a number of drownings. Further, there is no post-mortem evidence that electric shock was the cause. Therefore, many of the fatalities listed below are only the known electric shock caused drownings, which were investigated because of circumstantial evidence, i.e., multiple deaths, eye witnesses, considerable distress, cries for help, shock sensation reported by rescuers, etc.

Our studies have shown that, in salt water, the high voltage gradients required for electric shock drowning could not be established with the available fault current levels. In no cases can we attribute cause of death to electric shock drowning in salt water.

We do not know the exact wiring errors or ground faults that created some of the incidents listed below, but it can be assumed that an energized AC conductor (L1 or L2) came in contact with a bonded (grounded) metal object, and coincidently, this object was not connected to the shore bonding (grounding) system. This caused a voltage to appear on these under-water metal objects (both on boats and docks). This created a lethal electric field around the object (a person in this electric field can be paralyzed leading to drowning, or electrocuted directly). This was true in every case that was investigated.

No database has been found that catalogs “Electric Shock Drowning” – our term for this phenomenon. The incidents listed below came from various sources, i.e., investigation, press, third party, and eye witness reports. Dates and details are missing for some. There is no way to know what fraction of the total fatalities this listing represents, but it may be reasonable to assume that it could be small. We have no reports of fatalities in salt water due to electric shock drowning.

Some of the fatalities listed here were actually caused by ventricular fibrillation (electrocution), because the victim’s head was reported not to have been submerged. They are technically not drownings but are listed here since the causes are similar to drowning by electric shock.

Click here to view the Electric Shock Drownings List.