Engineer Dies on Superyacht Due to Unsafe Electrical Repair

A British engineer tragically lost his life on a luxury superyacht in the Caribbean. The incident occurred while he was working on a repair. Roy Temme, a resident of Southampton, was part of the crew aboard the 62.5-meter Baton Rouge. The vessel was docked in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua, in February 2024.

Mr. Temme was engaged in repairing a ventilation damper within an enclosed compartment of the yacht. The inquest revealed that the working conditions were extremely challenging, with temperatures ranging from 50C to 55C. This forced him to take frequent breaks, limiting his work periods to only ten minutes at a time.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report indicated that Mr. Temme had failed to isolate the electrical system before commencing the repair. The electrical breaker remained active during the work. Furthermore, no permit had been obtained to authorize the electrical repairs on the yacht, which was unoccupied by guests at the time.

The coroner noted that Mr. Temme's physical condition, being "hot and sweaty," likely facilitated the flow of electricity through his body. He was discovered by the chief officer, who also received an electric shock in the process.

A statement from Mr. Temme's widow described him as a devoted father, a loving husband, and a man known for his cheerful disposition and helpful nature. The coroner emphasized that no safety measures were taken to secure the electrical system before Mr. Temme began his task.

A post-mortem examination determined that Mr. Temme's death was caused by cardiac arrest resulting from the electric shock, which also caused burns. This led to hypoxia, or oxygen deficiency, ultimately causing his death. The coroner concluded the death as misadventure. The MAIB had already reviewed and reinforced existing procedures, so the coroner did not issue a prevention of future deaths report.