An Indian tanker crew led by Capt. Rahul Dhar has been stranded in the Persian Gulf for about eight weeks as the war involving Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, leaving thousands of seafarers stuck at sea.
The crew reported repeated sightings of drones and missile interceptions near their vessel, with growing tension, supply concerns, and limited communication with families despite a fragile ceasefire bringing only cautious hope.
Around 20,000 seafarers on hundreds of ships remain trapped in the region, with reduced traffic through the strait and several vessels previously coming under attack, according to maritime reports.
Crew members and unions have raised alarms over food shortages, psychological stress, and the danger of nearby explosions, while companies struggle to rotate personnel due to safety risks.
Maritime organizations continue to call for a safe corridor as uncertainty persists over when normal shipping routes will fully reopen.
Source: PhilNews24 | April 28, 2026
