Seafarers appeal for recognition amid rising geopolitical tensions

Dehradun: A third-generation merchant navy officer, Captain Nachiket M Warty, on Friday appealed for better protection of seafarers, describing them as frontline workers in times of conflict.Speaking at the International Maritime Conference in Dehradun, Warty recalled navigating the Strait of Hormuz just weeks before the West Asia war began on Feb 28. His ship returned from a port in Saudi Arabia to dock at Kandla, Gujarat."I feel fortunate that my crew and I passed safely, but many colleagues remain stranded, facing missiles overhead and direct threats to their lives. Shipping must continue to sustain the economy, yet seafarers are often treated as disposable," he said.Warty highlighted that around 90% of global goods move by sea, but authorities focus more on cargo than on crew safety. "They are concerned primarily about financial loss. We are humans with families and should not be taken for granted," he added.Second officer Jasmeet Singh, who recently returned from Korea, echoed similar concerns. He said that geopolitical tensions in West Asia and East Asia, particularly near the Korean Peninsula, are causing "immense mental stress" for seafarers."These situations increase anxiety because seafarers face constant threats to their lives. We never know which missiles might hit us simply for doing our job. We hope tensions ease soon so ships can operate safely," Singh said.