--- title: Shore Power Safety at the Marina | Hang Loose url: https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/shore-power-safety-marina language: en-AU updated: 2026-10-25 publisher: Hang Loose Electrical, 3/27 Huntington Street, Clontarf QLD 4019, 0492 268 126 --- 1. [Home](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/) 2. [Guides](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/guides) 3. Shore power safety Boats # Shore Power Safety at the Marina: A Boat Owner's Guide What causes tingles and tripping on shore power, what your lead needs to be, and the faults we find most often around Moreton Bay. [Call 0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126)[Get a fast quote](#quote) By **Hang Loose Electrical**, licensed electricians in Clontarf. Checked 13 October 2026. ## Why shore power needs extra care A boat sits in conductive salt water, gets bumped, flexes and corrodes. Every one of those things is hard on electrical connections. Australian Standards treat marinas and boats separately for this reason: AS/NZS 3004.1 covers the marina supply and AS/NZS 3004.2 covers wiring on the boat. ## Never ignore a tingle A tingle from a rail, ladder or the water near your boat means current is going somewhere it should not. Faults on a boat, or neutral-to-earth voltage carried from the shore supply, can put voltage on metalwork and into the water around it. A small current in water can cause muscles to lock up, which is why electric shock near marinas can lead to drowning. If you feel a tingle, unplug the shore power lead at the pedestal, keep people out of the water and get the boat checked before plugging back in. ## Your shore power lead Each marina sets its own rules, so read yours. As an example of what Queensland marinas expect, one major marina's 2026–27 policy requires: - One heavy-duty, three-core lead in one continuous length, rated to match the outlet - No household extension leads, double adaptors or power boards - A current test and tag, renewed every 12 months - Leads kept out of the water, not wrapped around cleats or pedestals, and removed when not in use - Monthly checks by the owner of the lead, plugs and the safety switch on the lead ## Why shore power trips - Water or corrosion in the inlet, plug or socket - A failing appliance on board: hot water service, battery charger, air conditioner - Damaged wiring behind panels or in the bilge - Too much running at once for the outlet's rating - A damaged or wet lead Most of the time the lead tests fine and the fault is on the boat. That is why the boat's wiring, not just the lead, needs testing. ## Corrosion and the shore earth Plugging into shore power connects your boat's earth to every other boat on the marina. That can speed up galvanic corrosion of underwater metal. A galvanic isolator in the earth line can help, and anodes need regular checking. If your anodes are wasting away fast, ask us to look at it. ## Imported boats Boats built for overseas markets can have 110 V outlets and appliances. Those need to be isolated or converted properly, and clearly labelled, so nobody plugs the wrong thing in. ## From our job sheets Marine work is a big part of what we do, mostly at Scarborough and Newport marinas, with regular jobs at Redcliffe, Manly and the Gold Coast. Recent shore power jobs include fault finding a complete loss of 240 V shore supply to a vessel at Redcliffe, a boat that kept tripping shore power where the lead tested fine and the fault was on board, isolator replacements, and 110 V outlets on an imported boat isolated, terminated and labelled. ## What it costs with us Marine fault finding is quoted per job. Most boat work is done at our Clontarf workshop, and for bigger jobs we work on board at your berth (call-out surcharges apply). See our [marine electrical services](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/marine-electrical) and [Scarborough and Newport marina work](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/marine-electrical/redcliffe-peninsula). ## Sources - [Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club: Shore Power Connection Policy 2026–27 (example of marina rules)](https://rpayc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RPAYC-Shore-Power-Connection-Policy-2026-27.pdf) - [PowerLogic: electric shocks at marinas](https://www.powerlogic.com.au/electric-shocks-at-marinas/) - [Standards Australia: AS/NZS 3004.2 (boats)](https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-nzs-3004-2-2014) ## Need a hand with this? Call the team, or send the details for a fast quote. [Call 0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126)[Get a fast quote](#quote) [24/7 emergencies: **0487 259 697**](tel:+61487259697) - **Mon to Fri** 6:30am to 6pm - **Sat** 7am to 1pm - **After hours** 24/7 emergency line above (after-hours surcharges apply) - **Workshop** 3/27 Huntington Street, Clontarf QLD 4019 ## Common questions Can't see your question? Call [0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126) and talk to the team. [All guides](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/guides) ### Is it safe to swim near the marina? It is best avoided. Faulty wiring on any nearby boat, or the shore supply, can put current into the water. ### My shore power keeps tripping. Is it the lead? Sometimes, but usually the fault is on the boat. We test the lead and the boat's wiring to find it. ### Do you test and tag shore power leads? Yes. We can test and tag your lead when we are on board. ### Do you come to the marina? Yes. We work at your berth at Scarborough, Newport, Redcliffe, Manly and other marinas, and trailer boats can come to our Clontarf workshop by arrangement. ## Related guides - ### [Lithium on boats](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/lithium-batteries-on-boats) Charging, alternators, DC-DC chargers and safe installation. - ### [Test and tag rules](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/test-and-tag-queensland) Which equipment, how often, who can test and what the tag must show. - ### [Storm season safety](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/storm-season-electrical-safety) Before, during and after a storm: who to call and what to check. ## Get a fast quote Tell us the job. It takes about a minute. ## Rather we sorted it? Call the team or send the details for a fast quote. You'll have a clear price before any work starts. [Call 0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126)[Get a fast quote](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/contact)