The global maritime charity Sailors’ Society has launched an emergency appeal for seafarers caught up in the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz.
Sailors’ Society CEO, Sara Baade, said innocent crew were facing the brunt of the conflict in the region.
“We have all seen the horrifying pictures on the news of ships on fire. This critical maritime area has become a battleground, with innocent and frightened crews paying the price,” Baade said.
Sailors’ Society highlighted the plight of seafarers like 25-year-old Dalip, who had only been at sea for two years, when his life was cut short on the first night of the conflict. A missile struck the side of the ship where he was on duty in the engine room.
“The coastguard rescued the crew, but Dalip could not be seen. The family are struggling to cope. His mother is in a very bad way. She fell sick and was in hospital. We are very grateful to have Sailors’ Society beside us at this time,” his cousin Debendra said.
Baade said over the past few weeks the charity’s crisis team had been supporting distressed families like Dalip’s as well as crews who have found themselves caught up in the conflict.
For the past nine months, the charity’s Crisis Response Network has also been supporting the families of an Indian crew who were arrested and jailed in Iran after their ship was seized over alleged oil smuggling.
“The families and the 17 seafarers were ecstatic when they were cleared recently. But now the process of freeing and repatriating them has ground to a halt. They remain behind bars in a war zone, and everyone is scared. But we will stay by their side as long as we are needed,” Baade said.
Sailors’ Society offers unique Circle of Care that looks after seafarers throughout their careers. As well as its Crisis Response Network and 24/7 helpline, the charity offers a proactive Ship Connect service that sees its trained team calling crews regularly.
The society also provides wellness training and support groups that enable crew to seek advice and support. It’s through these groups that the organisation has been hearing directly from crew caught up in the crisis.
According to the charity, a British seafarer who has just arrived in the UAE from Qatar said it was “not a very easy feeling seeing rockets flying around the sky, but I need to earn a living, so I have to stay for now”.
Baade said the charity relied entirely on donations to be able to offer its 24/7 support and services to seafarers.
“With the present situation in the Gulf requiring even more focus, we are asking people to consider donating towards our work, helping us to be there for seafarers and their families in need today and in the future,” she said.
