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Richard Ward, 56, from London, was found lifeless at Drivers Wharf boat yard on June 17 last year by his boat.
Winchester Coroner’s Court heard how Mr Ward had developed a heroin addiction after becoming dependent on OxyContin, which he used to medicate the pain caused by his Crohn’s disease and hip necrosis.
The evening before his death, he had shared champagne with another member of the boat yard, who described Mr Ward as being “in good spirits”.
Described by area coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp as a “great traveller”, he lived in Spain and Colombia.
Mr Ward’s brother had flown from California to attend the inquest.
He said: “[Richard was] a very creative person, a professional photographer and an extremely talented fine artist. Like many artists, he had his demons.
“His ability to get along with anyone was uncanny. He was truly a magical artist.”
Ms Rhodes-Kemp described how Mr Ward worked as a magazine photographer in Spain before moving to London to help run an art gallery for his father.
“Despite his debilitating illness, he spent three years living in Colombia before returning to London,” she added. “This was when he became addicted to OxyContin.”
The court also heard that Mr Ward’s addiction saw him consume several bags of heroin per day.
He then developed an obsession with sailboats and bought an old yacht, which he fixed up and sold. He repeated this process until he ended up with the boat where he was found at Drivers Wharf.
Ms Rhodes-Kemp ruled the cause of Mr Ward’s death as suicide.
Addressing his family, she said: “I am very sorry, because I’d love to find another conclusion, but I think it’s more likely than not that he intended to take his own life at that moment.
“I have no idea why he did it.
“The most important thing is that you don’t feel in any way responsible, because you weren’t. He was obviously very fond of you.”
She added: “I’m also very sorry that Richard had to suffer so much during his life with his ill health.”
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