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Sailors trapped at sea as Gulf conflict intensifies
Drones, cruise missiles, and fighter jets have become a daily reality for thousands of sailors stranded on oil tankers and cargo ships in the Gulf, following Iran's threat to target vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation comes in retaliation for recent U.S. and Israeli strikes, turning a critical shipping route into a warzone.
Firsthand accounts of attacks at sea
Amir, a Pakistani sailor aboard an oil tanker anchored near the United Arab Emirates, describes witnessing Iranian drones and missiles flying at low altitudes. "I also hear fighter jets overhead, but we can't tell which country they belong to," he says. His greatest fear? A stray projectile striking his vessel.
Hein, a Myanmar sailor, reports near-daily skirmishes. "Just this morning, two fighter jets fired at each other while we were working," he recalls. With no designated shelter on board, the crew's only option was to run inside the ship's interior.
Names of sailors and their families have been changed to protect their identities.
Thousands stranded with dwindling supplies
An estimated 20,000 sailors are currently trapped in the region, either at sea or in ports, according to Capt. Anam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers' Association. Seven ships have already been hit by projectiles, with at least one fatality reported on March 1 when a sailor died aboard the Skylark, a Palau-registered tanker.
Survivors of the attack described a chaotic scene: the engine room engulfed in flames, forcing an emergency evacuation. "The crew is traumatized," Chowdhury says.
For many, the distinction between safety at sea or in port has blurred. "If they want to target my ship, they will-regardless of where we are," says Capt. M Mansoor Saeed, an oil tanker captain.
Navigation hazards and communication blackouts
GPS interference has compounded the dangers. Seo-jun, a South Korean captain, reports frequent signal disruptions over the past three days. "When our boat entered Dubai, we had to navigate without GPS-like a blind person feeling for a doorknob," he says.
Iran's internet and phone network restrictions have severed communication between sailors and their families. Ali Abbas, whose son is stranded at an Iranian port, hasn't spoken to him since a missile attack days ago. "I've hidden this from my wife and daughter-in-law," he says, his voice breaking. "For God's sake, please help me."
Food, water, and psychological toll
Supplies are running critically low. Hein's ship has imposed rationing: one meal per day, consisting of four small pieces of meat and a bowl of fried vegetables. "Our supplies will last a month at most," he says.
Zeeshan, another Pakistani sailor, describes the conditions as "humiliating," with fuel and food scarce. "Nobody can relax in this situation," adds Amir. "We keep busy with drills and safety training."
Hein, responsible for 20 Myanmar crew members, has devised an emergency exit plan. "I've told my team where to run and what to carry if things get worse."
No easy escape
Even if sailors reach land, their ordeal may not end. Hamza's son, trapped on a ship, is among those whose passports are held by their employers, preventing them from leaving the region. Abandoning ship risks blacklisting by future employers.
Amir urges shipping companies to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, warning that financial pressures could override safety concerns. "If a vessel is hit, it's the sailors who pay the human cost-cargo and ships can be insured, but lives cannot be replaced."
Long-term impact on global trade
Capt. Chowdhury argues that sailors are collateral damage in a conflict they did not create. "When you target ships, you target innocent seafarers," he says. The war's fallout is expected to reshape the seafaring industry, with lasting consequences for trade in the Persian Gulf.
"The style and purpose of this war is very different from what we've seen in the past. It will have long-term effects on trade in the region."
Amir, Pakistani sailor
