Engineer electrocuted on superyacht, inquest hears

A chief engineer on a superyacht was electrocuted while carrying out a repair in 50C (122F) heat in a machinery compartment, an inquest has heard.

Roy Temme, 47, from Southampton, died on the vessel Baton Rouge which was moored in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua, in February 2024.

The father of two was found dead after electrical current passed through his body for several minutes, Hampshire coroner Jason Pegg told the hearing in Winchester.

He recorded a conclusion of death by misadventure.

Mr Temme chose to replace a component without isolating the electrical supply, Mr Pegg told the court.

The coroner read from a previous Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report, which said: "It cannot be known why the C/E [chief engineer] started work without isolating the electrical circuits or taking any of the additional COSWP [Code of Safe Working Practices] precautions for working on live electrical equipment.

"It is possible that he was trying to save time and effort despite the risk."

The MAIB previously said hotel services and air conditioning would need to have been shut down to make the circuit safe.

In a statement, Mr Temme's wife Natasha described him as an "amazing father and husband" who was "always cheerful... strong, professional and courteous".

She told the court: "There was no-one to help him... Even if he was crying for help there was no-one there."

The coroner said the chief officer who found Mr Temme slumped on 23 February received an electric shock himself.

He said: "Roy was working in temperatures of 50 to 55C. He was hot and sweaty which aided the electrical flow through his body.

"He was a much-loved husband and father and was extremely experienced and qualified."

The yacht's operator, Nigel Burgess Ltd, previously told the MAIB it had updated its safety procedures in the light of Mr Temme's death.

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