With tens of thousands of seafarers caught up in the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz and the impact spreading across the globe, the need has never been greater for 24/7 virtual support.

Global maritime charity Sailors’ Society is supporting anxious seafarers and distraught families around the clock – and today (Tuesday March 24) launched an emergency appeal.

Sailors’ Society CEO, Sara Baade, said: “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.”

Seafarers like 25-year-old Dalip, who had only been at sea for two years, when his life was cut short on the very first night of this conflict. A missile struck the side of the ship where Dalip was on duty in the engine room.

“The coastguard rescued the crew, but Dalip could not be seen,” said his cousin Debendra.

“Nothing of Dalip has been recovered. The family are struggling to cope without his body. His mother is in a very bad way. She fell sick and was in hospital. For a long time, she was not eating.

“We are very grateful to have Sailors’ Society beside us at this time.”

Sara added: “Over the past few weeks, our crisis team has been supporting distressed families like Dalip’s and frightened crews who have found themselves caught up in this conflict.”

And those affected are not just at sea in the region. For the past nine months, the charity’s Crisis Response Network had been supporting the families of an Indian crew 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.”

Sailors’ Society offers a 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 Peer-to-Peer Support Groups that enable crew to seek advice and support from those who understand exactly what they are going through. And through these groups, they have been hearing directly from crew caught up in the crisis.

One British seafarer has just arrived in the UAE from Qatar and wrote: “It’s 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.”

Sara added: “We rely entirely on donations to be able to offer our 24/7 support, as well as services like Ship Connect, our welfare grants and the peer support groups that seafarers rely on. 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.”

Donations can be made HERE