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jmowreader

(51,322 posts)
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 12:04 PM Jun 2024

Marine experts respond to Trump's electric boat remarks

https://www.southernfriedscience.com/for-immediate-release-experts-respond-to-concerns-over-the-relative-risks-of-electric-boats-and-shark-encounters/

Before we start:
Dr. Andrew Thaler’s webpage: https://andrewdavidthaler.org/
Dr. Andrew Shiffman’s webpage: https://search.asu.edu/profile/3531441

These two experts talked about the likelihood of being electrocuted if your electric boat sank in the ocean (none) and the likelihood of you being eaten by a shark if you’re in the water after your electric boat sank (also extremely low).

They were then asked whether they would prefer to be in a boat with Trump or in the water with a man-eating shark. Both chose the shark.
32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Marine experts respond to Trump's electric boat remarks (Original Post) jmowreader Jun 2024 OP
Anyone that understands an electrical circuit HAB911 Jun 2024 #1
Had a good laugh when the experts chose the shark. Ferryboat Jun 2024 #26
Can i choose to be on the boat with Trump? Easterncedar Jun 2024 #2
Absolutely! You have to be strong though. iscooterliberally Jun 2024 #13
Don't punish the poor shark!! TSExile Jun 2024 #14
Only if you promise... Think. Again. Jun 2024 #27
Lets not forget electricity and sinking ships are nothing new... getagrip_already Jun 2024 #3
Also don't cars have batteries? Plenty of them end up underwater, especially in hurricanes and I've not Maraya1969 Jun 2024 #8
*ZINGER!!* underpants Jun 2024 #4
If you engage the starter with gas fumes around the engine. Arne Jun 2024 #5
No Doubt About It! ProfessorGAC Jun 2024 #21
Also, if trump should fart near an open flame Arne Jun 2024 #22
Methane Has An Even Higher Heat Of Combustion ProfessorGAC Jun 2024 #24
LOL... I figured this would get some input from the "experts"... hlthe2b Jun 2024 #6
The suggestion that electric vehicles electrocute people is so 1980s. yardwork Jun 2024 #7
Typical EV battery voltages Disaffected Jun 2024 #9
Hi, let me introduce you to an idiot here. duncang Jun 2024 #10
Did it have a freaking laser beam attached to its head? Ray Bruns Jun 2024 #17
Yep, snorkling in the Keys! PurgedVoter Jun 2024 #30
Is this like the bear or man in the woods thing? Prairie Gates Jun 2024 #11
Trump knows as much about boats PatSeg Jun 2024 #12
Trolley problem Nasruddin Jun 2024 #15
The sharks would let him sink louis-t Jun 2024 #16
Wouldn't the shark die if it bit Trump? GreenWave Jun 2024 #18
Sharks won't eat Trump jmowreader Jun 2024 #19
I think sharks won't eat Trump because they have better taste than that. LisaL Jun 2024 #25
INDEED Skittles Jun 2024 #23
It's like the man or bear question geardaddy Jun 2024 #20
Trump, man, bear or shark? PurgedVoter Jun 2024 #29
... geardaddy Jun 2024 #31
Some magat is probably wondering... Think. Again. Jun 2024 #28
But did they factor MTG's Jewish Space Lasers into the equation? Blue Owl Jun 2024 #32

iscooterliberally

(3,006 posts)
13. Absolutely! You have to be strong though.
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 02:11 PM
Jun 2024

You'll be grabbing 350 pounds of bat shit stuffed into a 239 pound bag. Try not to get any on ya! Good luck!!

getagrip_already

(17,077 posts)
3. Lets not forget electricity and sinking ships are nothing new...
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 12:11 PM
Jun 2024

From wwii submarines which had massive battery banks (they ran on batteries while submerged) to surface ships that took on water, several hundred/thousand crew members were in flooded compartments with live circuits.

It's not an ah-ha moment in marine engineering.

And for the most part, sailors didn't die from electromocution.

Maraya1969

(22,958 posts)
8. Also don't cars have batteries? Plenty of them end up underwater, especially in hurricanes and I've not
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 12:34 PM
Jun 2024

heard of any electrocutions.

underpants

(186,184 posts)
4. *ZINGER!!*
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 12:13 PM
Jun 2024

Regarding whether he would prefer to be in a boat with the above candidate or in the water with a shark, Dr. Shiffman replied "I choose the shark. Every time." Dr. Thaler concurs.

Arne

(3,558 posts)
5. If you engage the starter with gas fumes around the engine.
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 12:15 PM
Jun 2024

Your boat will explode.
That's why I used to replace exhaust fans
and make sure it was started before the engine.

ProfessorGAC

(69,459 posts)
21. No Doubt About It!
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 05:40 PM
Jun 2024

One ounce (by weight) of gasoline, in its vapor state, diluted to 4% by volume in air, gives off as much energy 3 ounces of TNT.
Now, the rate of detonation is not as high, so the energy is released over a longer time, but still fast enough to go boom!

hlthe2b

(105,866 posts)
6. LOL... I figured this would get some input from the "experts"...
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 12:17 PM
Jun 2024

But, I agree totally with the answer, despite near zero risk from the battery. Posed with remaining w TSF on a boat or taking my chances with the shark, I'll choose (a lifeboat) down with the shark.

yardwork

(63,747 posts)
7. The suggestion that electric vehicles electrocute people is so 1980s.
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 12:25 PM
Jun 2024

I remember people believing this decades ago but I didn't realize some still do.

Disaffected

(4,983 posts)
9. Typical EV battery voltages
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 01:04 PM
Jun 2024

are in the 400V range, with a few now in the 800s. Such voltages are lethal under the right conditions, such as a vehicle crash. That's why rescue personnel have to be v careful trying to extract someone from an EV crash or, mechanics working on/around the battery.

duncang

(3,334 posts)
10. Hi, let me introduce you to an idiot here.
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 01:07 PM
Jun 2024

I was snorkeling off the Florida Keys. A shark was spotted and my first thought was can I get a picture. But it just made a swim by and left. Kind of pissed me off I didn’t get a chance.

PurgedVoter

(2,388 posts)
30. Yep, snorkling in the Keys!
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 10:59 PM
Jun 2024

I was off the road near a bridge and saw sharks quite a bit larger than me sail by under the bridge. I was more scared of the the sea urchins.

PatSeg

(49,589 posts)
12. Trump knows as much about boats
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 02:08 PM
Jun 2024

as he does about hurricanes and wild fires. Apparently, no one ever told him that if you don't know something, keep your mouth shut.

Nasruddin

(822 posts)
15. Trolley problem
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 02:18 PM
Jun 2024

It's the Trumpian version of the Trolley Problem.

Would you throw him to the shark in order to save everyone else that was on the boat, or would you permit him to electrocute himself so that the poor shark starves?

PurgedVoter

(2,388 posts)
29. Trump, man, bear or shark?
Tue Jun 11, 2024, 10:56 PM
Jun 2024

First you have to ask, how did I get put in this situation? Second be careful, the odds are good that in the next room you may have to decide which way a trolley is going to go.

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