A young Indian sailor, Pereira, is among the thousands of seafarers stranded in the Gulf, struggling to survive with limited food and water. He has been boiling water to drink and rationing supplies with his crewmates.
The situation is dire, with at least 20,000 seafarers stranded on 3,200 vessels, according to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The blockade, sparked by the US and Israel's strikes on Iran, has sent crude prices surging and triggered emergency measures worldwide.
Seafarers are facing a more immediate crisis, with limited food and water supplies. A ship captain described the arithmetic, saying they are starting with rationing to stretch out the number of days they can survive with available resources.
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has called on flag states to issue guidance to shipowners and organise repatriation of crew to their home countries. The IMO has confirmed at least eight seafarers or dock workers have died in incidents in the region since the conflict began.
Pereira's situation is not unique, with many seafarers facing similar struggles. He has spent weeks trying to reach the Indian diplomatic mission for help getting out, but the diplomatic manoeuvring feels distant to him and his crewmates.
