Captain Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, a 51-year-old Bangladeshi mariner, has recounted a 115-day ordeal stranded on a bulk carrier in the Gulf during the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran. He was responsible for 31 lives, a ship valued at $40 million, and cargo worth $8.2 million.
Islam commanded the Banglar Joyjatra, which had arrived in the Gulf a month before the attacks began in February. The vessel loaded 39,000 tonnes of steel coils at Qatar's Mesaieed Port and reached the outer limits of Jebel Ali in the UAE on February 26. Two days later, a missile struck an oil storage facility just 200 metres away, setting it ablaze.
Despite advice from Bangladesh's ambassador to evacuate, Islam stayed aboard. Over subsequent days, more missile attacks occurred, and the ship's navigation system failed, forcing him to navigate manually. When the vessel attempted to sail east via the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Revolutionary Guard denied passage, and repeated attempts were turned away.
With fresh water and food dwindling, Islam introduced rationing. Some young crew members were traumatised; he comforted them as they recited the Quran or used TikTok. After a ceasefire in April, another attempt to cross was refused, but permission finally came on June 23. "We breathed a sigh of relief. God guided us," he said.
Islam, who has returned home to Cumilla, said his family urges him to leave the sea, but he plans to keep sailing for many more years.
Source: al-monitor.com
