65 Days Under Fear in Hormuz: Indian Captain Recalls Nights of Drones and Missile Attacks
UAE’s emergency preparedness helped keep the oil tanker safe as Captain Ashish Sharma and his multinational crew survived weeks of tension in the middle of the West Asia crisis.
For 65 terrifying days in the Strait of Hormuz, Indian ship captain Ashish Sharma lived under the constant shadow of war. Drones flew overhead, missiles roared across the sky, and powerful explosions in nearby waters shook his vessel in the middle of the night.
Now safely back home in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Captain Sharma has shared the frightening experiences he and his crew endured during the West Asia crisis.
Speaking after returning home late Monday night, Sharma said he had taken charge of the ship on January 18 and was transporting oil to India when tensions escalated near Hormuz. “Sometimes drones passed directly above us, while missiles could be heard speeding across the sky,” he recalled. Though his ship escaped damage, the fear among the crew remained constant.
The most terrifying moment came when a vessel nearly 50 kilometers away was attacked. The blast was so powerful that the shockwaves disturbed the sea and caused Sharma’s ship to tremble. “After that incident, many of us could not sleep for nights,” he said.
According to Sharma, the UAE government remained highly alert throughout the crisis. Their ship was anchored safely at a port where extensive firefighting arrangements were made to deal with any emergency. Out of the 24-member crew, 12 sailors were later evacuated, while Sharma stayed back with the remaining members to continue operations.
Three days ago, Sharma and four other crew members finally completed their duty and returned to Delhi via Dubai before reaching Roorkee on Monday night.
Captain Sharma also praised the courage of his multinational crew, which included sailors from India, Nigeria, and Sri Lanka. He said he constantly motivated them and reassured both crew members and their families that everyone would return home safely.
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