News Releases

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the 2012 boating season at full speed or in preparation for upcoming activity in many parts of the country, it’s essential for marina and yacht club owners and operators to recognize the importance of maintaining electrically sound docks. When boats of any size or condition plug into their shore power systems there is an opportunity for stray electric current to escape. At stake is the risk of physical damage to vessels, and even more significant is the potential for personal injury including electrocution, according to the American Boat and Yacht Council and the National Fire Protection Association.¹

To help marina and yacht club owners and operators protect owned and non-owned vessels from the potentially devastating effects of stray current, and more importantly, secure their vessels and docks for the safety of their members, guests, and employees, ACE Marine Facilities Group (MFG) has released its Stray Electric Current Safety Checklist for Marinas and Yacht Club Owners. This free comprehensive checklist focuses on stray electric current prevention and helps owners and operators of marinas and yachts clubs to identify and reduce the likelihood of an electrical incident that could result in property damage, injury or loss of life.

“ACE’s Marine Facilities Group specialists offer tips that can reduce the likelihood of damage or injury from stray electric current, which is electricity or that portion of a current that flows over a path other than the intended path, including through water, fittings on your boat, wet wood, or damp surfaces,” said Kim Finlay, Assistant Vice President, ACE Marine Facilities Group. “Stray current can impact the liability of a marina or yacht club, both for hull damage and sinking, as well as for potentially lethal harm to swimmers. Providing guidance to help our marine clients to be proactive in this critical area of dock maintenance and vessel power supply control is part of our commitment to serving the marine community.”

To download a copy of the ACE Marine Facilities Stray Electric Current Safety Checklist for Marinas and Yacht Clubs visit our website, which also offers valuable information on a wide range of safety and loss prevention topics for marina and yacht club owners.

ACE Marine Facilities Group, a unit of ACE USA, is dedicated to the specialized insurance needs of marina and yacht club owners, premier boat dealers, boat builders and yacht brokers. ACE provides insurance products and package offerings tailored to the unique exposures faced by marine facilities.

For more information about ACE Marine Facilities Group products and services, please contact Kim Finlay atKimberly.finlay@acegroup.com. Marine advisory services are provided on a fee-for-services basis by INAMAR, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, a service company affiliate within the ACE Group. Marine advisory services staff also conducts loss control activities for underwriting purposes. Risk control and other activities conducted on behalf of the insurer are not intended as a direct benefit or service to ACE insureds.

ACE USA is the U.S.-based retail operating division of the ACE Group, and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and AA- (Very Strong) by Standard & Poor’s. ACE USA, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout the U.S. Additional information on ACE USA and its products and services can be found at http://www.acegroup.com/us. The ACE Group is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), a component of the S&P 500 stock index, the ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries. Additional information can be found at: www.acegroup.com.

¹ http://www.cmsquick.com/tech_abyc_E1.html and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 303, Section 5.20.