Have you checked your shore power system lately?

How often are we asked this exact question either by our local boat dealer, harbor master or even our neighbors as they are repeatedly replacing burnt plugs? How is this OK?  Shouldn’t we be calling for a change and demanding a safer option?  I started doing some research and dug up some information this week on causes of marine electrical fires and thought I would share what I’ve found….

My research originated from a question I considered some might be asking after hearing about a new shore power option:

What makes SmartPlugs think they can change a standard and how can we guarantee that marinas and boat makers will cut over to this new shore power system?

That is a valid question and we had to ask ourselves the same thing when this project began in 2007.  Let’s be sure to note:  Just because something has been around for 70 years and no one has challenged it, doesn’t mean it’s the best option.  The problem is that it was our only option for far too long.  In fact, from our initial research in 2007 we found that the current shore power system was even more dangerous than our initial thought.  Here are some key points I found which have contributed in why we have created the SmartPlug:

1.  In the last 7 years damages from boat electrical fires in the US is estimated at 1 Billion dollars!  (That is a statistic from 2007, I can’t imagine how much more money has been spent to replace plugs or in the worst case marina’s since then!)
2. 48 deaths over the last several years from electrocution were directly attributed to failing shore power components.
3. Over the years, several attempts have been made to pass legislation enforcing safeguards for the problem.  These efforts have failed, partly since there is no existing product available to challenge the outdated and problematic twist lock standard in use today.  Until now!

 In addition, I’ve come across some statistics from Boat US Insurance that sums up the direct cause of marine electrical fires.  Decide for yourself, do you feel 100% secure in the current twist lock shore power option?  Click here to read the blog.

As you can see the current shore power system is not only failing but jeopardizing our safety when the plug is in use.  55% in our opinion is way too high for this to be ignored and is screaming out as a hazard.  That hazard is our responsibility as boaters to address and help change, which is yet another reason why we have created a better option.  We at SmartPlugs have seen the dangers that the current standard brings to the marine industry and feel that it’s time to start recognizing it.  Not to mention, the twist lock option is not only difficult to use but expensive to replace every time the connection fails or corrodes!  If there were a better more reliable product available that you wouldn’t have to worry about replacing due to corrosion or burning would you buy it?  We are here as another option in the marine shore power product listing.  We are here plain and simple to offer all of you a choice the next time you walk in your local boat store to replace yet another burnt or corroded plug.  It only seems right that we at least have that choice!

One Response to “It’s time for a new option; twist lock a way of the past”

1. Aaron Smith says:

   October 10, 2009 at 9:28 am

   You guys are great!!!!