Sailors stranded in Strait of Hormuz for months ‘eager to hug families’ | News World

As Donald Trump launches a brand new plan to get ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a few of the 1000’s of seafarers who’ve been stranded because the start of the war are feeling lower than optimistic.

‘It’s been numerous missile watch and table tennis,’ Captain Raman Kapoor said.

As of this month, around 20,000 seafarers are trapped on 2,000 ships across the Persian Gulf as missiles proceed to rain down on the Strait of Hormuz.

The Hormuz Strait is a vital waterway, which 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas supply is supposed to go through freely.

But maritime staff have been stuck within the water ever since US President Donald Trump launched Operation Epic Fury with Israel on February 28 against Iran.

This includes Captain Kapoor and his 23 crew members, who at the moment are six months into what was meant to be a four-month trip.

He told Metro: ‘All of us miss our families. The very first thing I’ll do after I get back to India is hug my wife, kids and oldsters.

‘I’m used to working away for long stints, but this time it was different. This time I used to be stuck in a war zone.’

Captain Kapoor’s ship, which transports crude oil, was on its way back to India when violence erupted across the Middle East.

The ship was situated near the Strait of Hormuz, which has been a source of utter frustration for Trump because the Iranians sealed off access, causing fuel prices to soar.

Neighboring ships have been hit with drones and debris, and Captain Kapoor’s crew has been, understandably, tense.

There may be a brand new rota on board for round the clock missile watches, but numerous cleansing jobs are also getting done because the ship waits for permission to sail.

‘We just don’t want people to isolate themselves,’ Captain Kapoor said. ‘That’s when morale really hits all-time low, and that’s my priority.’

Evenings are spent playing table tennis and eating from their recently replenished stock, delivered to them by a much smaller boat.

There may be little hope Trump’s recent Project Freedom, which is able to see the US ‘guiding’ ships which have been stuck within the Strait of Hormuz, will make any difference.

The 1000’s of seafarers who’ve been stranded have heard repeated guarantees from each Iran and the US the Strait will reopen for his or her secure passage.

Captain Kapoor said: ‘Nothing ever stays for long with Trump. There are ceasefires, after which there are not any ceasefires. Iran lets us in, then they modify their mind.’

And the International Transport Employees’ Federation agrees.

General Secretary, Stephen Cotton, said: ‘In the intervening time, there’s little clarity on how Project Freedom will provide secure evacuation, nor assurance from Iran that transit will probably be guaranteed.

‘Until we’ve got those assurances, we’re calling on shipowners and flag states to not treat this announcement as a green light. These staff have already endured weeks of fear, uncertainty and hardship. They have to not now be put in harm’s way.

Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Iranian exiles fear being on ‘pro-regime kill lists’ after being doxed on Telegram

MORE: 1000’s of sailors stranded in Strait of Hormuz left waiting for Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’

MORE: Trump says he desires to stay in power until 2035 so he can enjoy mega ballroom