The immediate safety checks are done. What should the skipper be aware of regarding the boat's compass and electronic instruments after a strike?

A. The compass and electronics can always be trusted completely immediately after a strike with no need to check anything

B. Electronic instruments are always destroyed completely by any strike, with no possibility of them still working

C. A lightning strike can permanently magnetise or damage the compass and electronic instruments, so readings should be treated with caution and cross-checked against other references (landmarks, GPS if it survived, a backup compass) until they can be properly checked ashore

D. A lightning strike can never affect a compass in any way

A. Wait until lightning is actually seen close by before considering any change of plan

B. Assume thunderstorms at sea never carry any real risk to a small boat

C. Start heading for the nearest safe harbour or shelter straight away, and check the forecast/VHF for any thunderstorm warnings — anvil clouds and thunder are a clear early warning that a lightning risk is approaching

D. Carry on with the original passage plan exactly as before, since the storm is still some distance away

A. Have everyone hold onto the metal rigging for stability during the storm

B. Get crew away from the mast, rigging, and any metal fittings, move below decks if possible, and stay low and away from anything connected to the rigging or metal stanchions

C. It makes no difference where crew stand or sit during a thunderstorm

D. Stand at the highest point of the boat to get a better view of the storm