A young merchant navy officer from Chhattisgarh has recounted his harrowing experience of being caught in the middle of escalating tensions in the Gulf region, describing how missiles and drones flew past his vessel as conflict unfolded around them.

Rudransh Chaubey, a trainee navigation officer in the Merchant Navy, said the crew faced uncertainty and fear after becoming stranded in waters around the Strait of Hormuz amid the worsening crisis in West Asia.

Now safely back home after completing his contract, Chaubey described the episode as the most challenging and educational experience of his career.

“I first joined my ship in Egypt in December 2025. We entered the Strait of Hormuz in the first week of February to deliver cargo to Saudi Arabia. After loading another consignment for Egypt, we learned that Iran was closing the Strait of Hormuz. We were left confused and without clear instructions on what to do next,” he told ANI.

Missiles And Drones Passed Near Vessel

According to Chaubey, the shipping company later decided to reroute the cargo to Bahrain.

While passing through the Strait of Hormuz, he said, the crew witnessed scenes resembling a battlefield.

“We saw several missiles and drones flying past us and observed Arab nations intercepting and destroying them. During this time, I also witnessed an attack on a ship,” he said.

Following delivery of the cargo, the vessel proceeded to Qatar to load urea before moving to Dubai, where it remained anchored for nearly six weeks awaiting further instructions.

Chaubey said the situation was unprecedented for all 22 crew members on board.

“It was a first-time experience for everyone, finding ourselves on a ship caught in the middle of a war,” he said.

Panic Gave Way To Preparedness

The trainee officer recalled that the initial absence of clear instructions created panic among the crew.

However, he said the atmosphere changed after the company and India’s Directorate General of Shipping issued detailed guidelines on dealing with emergencies.

“We conducted several drills to ensure we could navigate our way out of any situation that might arise,” he said.

One of the most frightening moments, according to Chaubey, came when a drone attack occurred close to their vessel.

“A drone attack occurred near our ship while there were 22 of us on board. We were quite rattled and unsure of the best course of action, but we followed the guidelines provided by the company and the government,” he said.

He added that the crew gradually regained confidence and prepared themselves for further contingencies.

Family Worried As Communication Became Difficult

Chaubey said his family closely followed developments in the Gulf region through television reports and regularly contacted him to inquire about his safety.

“I would reassure them that everything was fine and there was no cause for alarm. Sometimes satellite disruptions prevented communication, but I always tried to send at least a message so they would be informed and reassured,” he said.

He credited the Directorate General of Shipping for playing a crucial role in keeping Indian sailors informed throughout the crisis.

According to Chaubey, the agency provided operational guidelines and emergency helpline numbers from the outset, allowing crew members to seek immediate assistance whenever necessary.

“My contract ended, which is why I have returned home. It is a relief that we managed to get out of that situation. My only message is that everyone currently there should stay safe and follow the guidelines being issued,” he said.

His account comes at a time when the Government of India has heightened monitoring and coordination efforts in the Gulf region following a series of attacks on merchant vessels and rising risks to commercial shipping routes.

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