Effective immediately NO SWIMMING will be allowed in any areas of the boatyard.

As a concern for your safety and to protect you and the boatyard, we have done research and are going to prohibit swimming at Fay’s Boat Yard effective immediately. We have Gilford beach passes available for $ 5 (our cost) in the store. It’s just across the street.

We have become aware of possible danger of swimming in areas where there is electricity at docks and the potential leakage of electric current from boats. There is no way for us to monitor every boat and the risk is too high. A no swimming policy is pretty consistent at marinas and boatyards throughout the country.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support.

Please direct any questions to linda@faysboatyard.com or call 603.293.8000.

Information from the Fire Protection Research Foundation 

*Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) can directly electrocute a swimmer in the water or cause a level of paralysis that ultimately results in drowning. Reports in the mainstream media indicate ESD is a concern in and around public and private marinas, boatyards, and floating buildings. The aim of this project was to explore the literature available regarding ESD, and to the extent practicable, develop a comprehensive approach for ESD risk assessment. Identify potential ESD risk management strategies, and outline associated action plans to prevent, mitigate, and/or eliminate the harmful effects of ESD in the vicinity of marinas, boatyards, and floating buildings.

*Potential mitigation measures — controls on people: • Prohibit swimming in any marina where AC shore power is supplied to the docks for any purpose. • Prohibit swimming near any private dock where AC shore power is supplied to the docks for any purpose. • Post ESD warnings at any dock with shore power connection. • Post ESD warnings on any boat with sufficient electrical power source(s). • Have manufacturers include ESD warnings in boats with sufficient power sources/power needs. • Have the Coast Guard update its boater’s guide to federal regulations and safe boating tip brochure to include ESD warnings and mitigation strategies (https://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF). • Create designated safe swimming areas away from marinas/docks with shore power connection. • Educate insurers about ESD and mitigation options to help manage ESD risks. • Identify power sources and requirements for boats when licensing/registering. • Require permits to install electrical connections at marinas/docks. • Institute regulations/penalties for noncompliance.

*The above information came from the Fire Protection Research Foundation. About the Fire Protection Research Foundation, the Fire Protection Research Foundation plans, manages, and communicates research on a broad range of fire safety issues in collaboration with scientists and laboratories around the world. The Foundation is an affiliate of NFPA. About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free. NFPA’s membership totals more than 55,000 individuals around the world. Keywords: risk, risk reduction, marina risk reduction, electric shock drowning, ESD, marina, motorcraft, electricity, NFPA 70, NEC, NFPA 302, NFPA 303 Report number: FRPF-2017-12