Seafarers trapped in the Gulf report rationing food, boiling water and cutting shifts as supplies struggle to reach ships amid what crews describe as an Iranian blockade three weeks on. An Indian sailor, Pereira, said drinking water had run out and crews are resorting to boiling remaining water. A captain off Qatar said 95 crew remain on his vessel after 25 left, and provisions need topping up every 10–15 days. The ITF and IMO are urging flag states and governments to coordinate repatriation and create a safe shipping corridor.
Seafarers Ration Food and Water as Iran Blockade Leaves Thousands Stranded in Gulf
Tankers, cargo ships and smaller boats are in the Strait of Hormuz (FADEL SENNA)(FADEL SENNA/AFP/AFP)
Seafarers trapped in the Gulf say they have been forced to ration food and boiling water as they wait anxiously for supplies to break through what they describe as an Iranian blockade that has left them stranded for three weeks.
An Indian crewman working on a small refuelling vessel off the Iraqi coast, within sight of the Iranian shoreline, told AFP that fresh drinking water had run out. He identified himself only by his last name, Pereira.
"We don't have enough water on board right now. We got food a few days back. Until yesterday we had proper drinking water and water for washing. Now the drinking water is finished, so we've contacted the owner to send more and I hope they get it by today or tomorrow," Pereira said. "Until then, we are boiling the water for drinking."
One ship's captain, speaking while ashore during a rotation of masters, said his vessel remained at anchor off Qatar near the Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas complex, which was hit in a recent attack. He asked not to be named so his ship could not be identified.
"If the port shuts down completely, there is no possibility of getting the crew out. That's one worry," the captain said. "Another worry is about food supplies, water supplies and everything else that needs to be supplied to the crew." He reported that 25 crew members had left that ship, leaving 95 on board, and that provisions now require topping up every 10–15 days.
To conserve resources, crews have reduced shifts and cut meal sizes. "We are starting with food and water rationing on board, just so we can stretch out the number of days we go with available resources in case food, water and fuel are unavailable," the captain said.
Calls For Action
Jacqueline Smith, maritime coordinator at the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), said the union has received numerous messages from seafarers reporting low provisions, fuel shortages and dwindling water supplies. The ITF has urged flag states such as Panama and Liberia to issue guidance to shipowners and seafarers on repatriation and welfare measures.
The UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for the creation of a secure shipping corridor in the Gulf to allow evacuation of stranded vessels and crew.
Scope And Human Cost
The IMO estimates roughly 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on about 3,200 vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz. It also reports at least eight seafarers or dock workers have died in incidents in the region since the conflict began on February 28.
Pereira said five of his eight Iraqi crewmates had already departed to return home, leaving him and the remaining sailors aboard. He described his first voyage to Iraqi waters, which began in November, as a traumatic experience and said he had been seeking evacuation through Indian diplomats "since the war started" on February 28.
"We just want to leave and go home. I won't be coming to sea again after what I've seen now. This first trip has been really horrible," he said.
Reporting: AFP
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