Chief Engineer on Manx registered luxury motor yacht died from electrocution

MAIB publishes report into incident on Baton Rouge

A UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch report into the death of the chief engineer aboard the Isle of Man registered luxury motor yacht Baton Rouge has confirmed he died from electrocution.

Father of two, Roy Temme from Southampton had entered the vessel's engine room during a power outage to carry out repairs.

The accident occurred on the 23 February last year when the vessel was alongside in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua.

Mr Temme, was attempting to replace a damper actuator situated in the ventilation overpressure compartment.

The investigation found that he commenced the work without isolating the electric supply and without a permit to work for electrical maintenance in place. This was likely because he had rationalised the risk and wanted to avoid the limitations of restricting the vessel to emergency power. 

Despite efforts to resuscitate him the chief engineer’s heart could not be restarted, and he was pronounced dead in hospital later that morning.

The MAIB report highlights a number of safety issues in the wake of the tragedy, but in view of the actions already taken by the yacht's operating company, Nigel Burgess Limited, no recommendations have been made.