What should you do if you see lightning while on the water?

When you see lightning while on the water, the safest course of action is to navigate to the nearest shore and find shelter. This is because being on the water during a lightning storm poses significant risks, as boats can attract electricity due to their metal components and the fact that water is a good conductor of electricity.

Heading towards shore allows you to reach a safer location, ideally where you can find further shelter from the storm, such as a building or in a vehicle. Once on land, you can protect yourself from lightning strikes by staying indoors or seeking cover in a grounded structure.

Remaining on the boat or seeking refuge under a tree are both dangerous choices. Boats do not provide adequate protection, as they can still be struck by lightning. Trees, while they might seem like a logical shelter, can also attract lightning, making them very unsafe during a storm. Floating in the water until the storm passes puts you directly at risk without a way to protect yourself from the elements or lightning.