Sparks beneath the surface
What That Viral Arcing Video Can Teach Us about Marina Electrical Safety
Recently, a video of a marina went viral, garnering 16 million views on YouTube. The reason? It portrayed a quiet dock, calm water, and cables spitting out angry bubbles into the water surrounding the metal dock. What if someone had been swimming there? What if a child had slipped in? The danger is typically invisible and often results in electric shock drowning or ESD. The shock hazard could have been present for a long time before it progressed to corroded cables and boiling water.
This viral clip is more than a dramatic moment. Incidents like this are more common the most people realize and can lead to fatal consequences. We know this is not an anomaly, but a failure that can be prevented by better electrical safety by design. Stray current leakage into water is a known hazard, especially in environments where electrical infrastructure interfaces with moisture, such as marinas. The leakage current in the video is a textbook example of what happens when insulation breaks down and ground-fault monitoring systems are absent or ineffective.
Behind the Ground Fault
What you’re seeing is electrical discharge, a phenomenon that occurs when leakage current finds a path through a medium like water. In this case, the water acts as a partial conductor, creating a low-impedance path to ground. When insulation fails or grounding is compromised, water often becomes that path.
In this video, it appears that leakage current has been present for quite a while. This eventually “snowballs” into complete insulation failure on multiple cables. A combination of arcs and high fault currents produce enough heat to boil water.
Harsh environments like marinas and docks have a higher probability of ground faults due to aging infrastructure, corroded connectors, and improperly grounded equipment. Even small leakage currents can be fatal in water. That’s why proactive monitoring is essential.
Bender’s Solution: MarinaGuard
The deadly electricity in the video is a chilling reminder of what happens when ground faults go undetected. But it doesn’t have to end in tragedy. Bender’s MarinaGuard® is engineered specifically to prevent these scenarios from unfolding. Designed for marinas, boatyards, floating buildings, and docking facilities, MarinaGuard provides real-time ground-fault monitoring across feeder and branch circuits, exactly where these faults originate.
When a fault is detected, MarinaGuard immediately trips the affected circuit and activates a high-visibility red strobe light, alerting everyone nearby to the danger. This visual cue is critical in environments where swimmers, boaters, and staff may be unaware of electrical hazards. The system complies with NEC 555.35, 555.53, and 682.15, as well as CE Code 78-052, ensuring it meets the highest safety standards.
MarinaGuard is available in single-channel (MG-1) and twelve-channel (MG-T) configurations, allowing scalable protection from individual pedestals to entire marina electrical distribution systems. Each circuit features an adjustable trip level, factory-set to 30 mA to meet code requirements but customizable for specific site needs. The system uses external current transformers to measure ground-fault current, available in various shapes and sizes to fit any installation.
Beyond hardware, MarinaGuard integrates with Bender’s broader ecosystem of monitoring tools. Multiple units can be networked and remotely supervised, allowing marina operators to respond quickly to faults without manual oversight. This is especially important in large facilities or during peak boating seasons when foot traffic and water activity are high.
Protecting Lives, Not Just Infrastructure
Electric shock drowning (ESD) is a silent killer. It occurs when leakage current enters the water, paralyzing swimmers and rendering them unable to move, resulting in drowning. It takes as little as 10 mA through the body to cause muscular paralysis—less than the current needed to power a small light bulb. Children are especially vulnerable, but adults and even pets are at risk.
MarinaGuard doesn’t just protect electrical systems—it protects people. By continuously monitoring for faults and providing immediate alerts, it transforms passive infrastructure into active safety systems. Whether it’s a faulty boat lift, a corroded outlet, or a miswired shore power connection, MarinaGuard is the difference between a safe swim and a fatal oversight.
Safety Starts with Awareness
The video of leakage current through the water is more than a viral moment, it’s a call to action. At Bender, we believe that electrical safety should be proactive, predictive, and personal. MarinaGuard embodies that philosophy, turning invisible threats into visible alerts and giving operators the tools they need to act before it’s too late.
So, the next time you head to the marina, ask yourself: Is your dock protected? Are your swimmers safe? With MarinaGuard, the answer can be yes.
At Bender Inc., we’ve been at the forefront of electrical safety for over 80 years. Our commitment to innovation and excellence drives us to create solutions that exceed expectations.
For more information about this application, or to learn more about Bender technology, technical support, and service and commissioning for your specific application, contact our team of experts.
This article is for informational purposes only. Bender provides the information "as is" without warranty and is not responsible for its accuracy or reliability. No warranties are given regarding its suitability for any specific circumstances.
