Why Can't I Just Plug My Boat into the Dock?

First published 10/26/17
By guest blogger Fred Kaufhold, of M/V Dreamweaver, â€‹Anacortes, Washington. This post is an addendum to "Ground Your Boat for Swimmers' Safety."I thought my isolation transformer would be enough.
   Recently, while cruising our boat in SE Alaska, we entered Petersburg where we intended to stay for two months for various reasons not germane to this story.  Because of our extended stay, we wanted to be in the north harbor which is in the center of town rather than the alternative south harbor.  After receiving our slip assignment, I dutifully plugged my shore power cable into the impressive new power pedestal on the dock, turned on my own shore power breaker on the boat and promptly tripped the dock breaker.  

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