Report on the fatality of the chief engineer on board the motor yacht Baton Rouge at Falmouth Harbour, Antigua on 23 February 2024.
Summary:
On the morning of 23 February 2024, the chief engineer on the Isle of Man registered motor yacht Baton Rouge was electrocuted while working on the engine room ventilation system. The chief engineer’s heart could not be restarted and he was pronounced dead later that morning.
The key safety issues identified were:
- The chief engineer was working on live equipment without suitable arrangements in place to guard against electrical shock.
- The chief engineer was working in an enclosed space without enclosed space working procedures being in place.
- A permit to work was not issued for the task and the associated hazards were not identified.
- The yacht’s safety management system definition of an enclosed space was incorrect and focused solely on toxic atmospheres.
- There was a mismatch in the definitions of an enclosed space in the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers.
Safety recommendations:
In view of the actions taken by the yacht’s operating company no recommendations have been made.
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A copy of the full report is available for media to download below. The report will be published on the MAIB website at 10am.
https://cdn.prgloo.com/media/download/326c37eae7314d279ae17f8c958a1639 .-
