Seafarers stuck in the Gulf are rationing food and water, anxiously hoping supplies will get through Iran’s blockade in the ongoing conflict that has stranded them for three weeks. The crisis has left around 20,000 seafarers stranded on some 3,200 vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO).
One Indian seaman, Pereira, stuck in a small refuelling boat off Iraq, within sight of the Iranian shore, described the dire situation. “We don’t have enough water on board right now. We got food a few days back,” he said. “Till yesterday we had proper drinking water and fresh water for baths and stuff. But now since drinking water is over, we have contacted the owner for the drinking water and I hope they get it by today or tomorrow. Till then, we are boiling the water for drinking,” Pereira added.
Gulf Seafarers Struggle to Access Basic Necessities
The seafarers’ plight has raised concerns about their welfare and safety. Jacqueline Smith, maritime coordinator at the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), said numerous seafarers had been raising the alarm over supplies in recent days. “We have been receiving text messages from seafarers saying we’re running low on provisions, we’re running low on fuel, we’re running low on water, we’re running low on food,” she said.
International Calls for Action
The ITF has called on countries where the ships are flagged, such as Panama and Liberia, to issue guidance to shipowners and seafarers to organise their repatriation. The UN’s maritime body (IMO) has also called for the creation of a safe shipping “corridor” in the Gulf to evacuate stranded vessels and seafarers. Some of the key concerns and needs of the stranded seafarers include:
- Access to safe drinking water
- Adequate food supplies
- Fuel for their vessels
- Guidance on repatriation from flag countries
The situation remains dire, with at least eight seafarers or dock workers having died in incidents related to the conflict. As the crisis continues, the international community is urged to take action to address the welfare and safety concerns of the stranded seafarers.
