Two crewmen died onboard the Isle of Man-registered, 13,400-dwt Sally Ann C (built 2007) last month off the coast of West Africa after entering a cargo hold.
The chief engineer and chief officer went into a hold containing timber — a cargo known to deplete oxygen.
A second officer was overcome but survived while attempting to save the men.
‘Very familiar pattern’
In a letter to UK shipping minister John Hayes, Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson said the case followed a “very familiar pattern”, adding that such accidents are the most common cause of deaths onboard ships.
