Indian captain recounts 75 days stranded in Iran war

For 75 days, Raman Kapoor, an experienced Indian tanker captain, and his crew were anchored in a war zone near the Strait of Hormuz. Initially, the warning of the impending conflict did not come from an email or company notice, but rather from a local pilot at an Iraqi port. The captain, who had over 28 years of experience at sea, recounted how the situation rapidly escalated and they found themselves in the midst of the ongoing war.

The crew, consisting of 23 members, was immediately ordered to vacate their berth and move to a safe anchorage within the port limits, refusing to proceed further. The captain broke the news of the war to his crew and assured them that they would follow all instructions, remain together, and see this through. Despite the uncertainty and fear, daily life onboard continued as usual, with crew members carrying out their usual duties of rounds, checks on tanks, generators, fire systems, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the engine room on standby.

Morale was maintained through routine, teamwork, and the knowledge that the crew's safety was paramount. However, the prolonged stay in a war zone took a toll on the crew's mental health, causing anxiety and depression due to the extended time at sea and the delay in repatriation. The crew found solace in each other's company, conducting extra drills, holding mess-room prayers, and taking turns talking to junior crew members during night watches.

The crew's worst fear materialized when they heard a blast near their ship. The entire ship shook, and the captain's heart raced as he witnessed a missile fly less than a mile away. Following this terrifying incident, fear had a new sound - the silence between explosions. The crew faced numerous challenges and hardships during their 75-day ordeal, including the refusal of other vessels to participate in a ship-to-ship (STS) operation, the crew's exhaustion, and the mounting pressure for repatriation. Despite the hardships, the crew remained steadfast in their duty and persevered through the war.