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[OH1HAQ]

Is there anything like this on the market ready-made?

http://www.remoterig.com/forum/index.php?topic=3810.0

If the coax is only disconnected via relay there is a greater risk for the surge to jump across the relay contacts.
This looks promising, but I don't kwow if the "actuator" really means physically disconnecting the connection inside the box.
https://paradanradio.com/products/antenna-disconnect


 Thanks!

[AA4PB]

The relay in the antenna disconnect box disconnects both the center conductor and shield. However, the open contacts on the relay are still pretty close. Even on the video of the "slide" disconnect you can see that the metal supports for each piece look like they are not more than an inch or so apart. That's still pretty close for lightning to arc across. It seems to me that a proper single point ground system that bonds all equipment together (making sure it all rises to the same voltage together) would be more effective than trying to isolate everything.

[KG4RUL]

And a Coaxial Surge Suppressor, in the feed to the rig, tied to the grounding system.

[N3QE]

Relay switching that simultaneously disconnecting the center conductor AND shorts out antenna coax center conductor to ground is pretty good.

You might worry about a strike jumping the relay contact gap. But if antenna side is held to ground (**) by the shorting relay, there's no potential to jump.

(**) Obviously takes good single-point grounding. Which obviously wasn't a goal for the guy in that video of that disconnect you showed! You can't go half-baked on single-point grounding. You have to go fully-baked.

[PU2OZT]

As far as I can remember in the Merchant, there should be no hassle in setting ANY electric device way afar from ANY explosible zone, via pneumatic devices... and I only sailed on board Product Tankers, not even LNG Tankers
 
Oliver

[K4SC]

The possibility of an arc path in the air-gap between the coax connectors which could be mitigated by a simple spring loaded metallic shutter falling into place into the air-gap.  The shutter would be grounded providing both a physical and electrical barrier to the arc.  In the end nothing will stop Thor if he wants to destroy your station and or house, but such a device will increase the odds in your favor.  Chuck K4SC