Seaman who died from lack of oxygen were 'unaware of dangers'
Three seamen who died because of a lack of oxygen in a ship's compartment had failed to appreciate the possible dangers they faced, a report said. The men who were working to secure a rattling anchor chain in an enclosed space on the Viking Islay ship off the Yorkshire coast in 2007 failed to recognize the atmosphere would eventually become oxygen deficient. According to a BBC article on the subject:
Marine Accident Investigation Branch experts recommended training changes. The marine accident experts added that the training and subsequent drills in the use of such devices "had not been sufficient to ensure the limitations of the equipment were recognised in an emergency".
And the document added: "The ship manager's company policy on entry into enclosed spaces was not clear and did not take into account scenarios that could require crews to enter confined spaces while at sea".
Gas monitoring equipment supplied to the vessel was unsuitable for ensuring safe entry into enclosed spaces, the experts concluded.
