The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy transit, has transformed into a perilous zone for merchant mariners. For 26-year-old Sunil Puniya, a routine shift on the oil tanker Skylight turned into a nightmare when a missile strike tore through the vessel’s engine room. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of March 1, left the ship engulfed in flames and forced the crew to abandon the vessel into the sea. While rescue operations managed to save many, the incident claimed the lives of the captain and Puniya’s close friend, 25-year-old Dalip Rathore, whose body remains missing.

The tragedy highlights a broader, escalating crisis within the region. Since the onset of regional hostilities, dozens of commercial vessels have been struck, leaving thousands of seafarers stranded in a maritime no-man’s-land. Many of these ships are caught in a complex web of sanctions, often operating without valid insurance or clear ownership. This lack of accountability leaves crews vulnerable, as they face not only the physical dangers of missile strikes but also the systemic abandonment by shipowners who disappear when legal or financial complications arise.

Investigations into the status of the Skylight reveal a disturbing trend of ‘stateless’ vessels. Following the imposition of sanctions, the ship lost its insurance coverage and its registration with a flag state, effectively stripping the crew of the legal protections typically afforded to maritime workers. Experts note that such opaque ownership structures are increasingly common, designed to bypass international regulations and evade responsibility for crew welfare. For families like the Rathores, the absence of insurance and a reachable shipowner means that seeking compensation or closure for their lost loved ones becomes a nearly impossible legal battle.

Beyond the immediate threat of violence, the humanitarian toll is mounting. Unions report thousands of distress calls from mariners facing unpaid wages, food shortages, and hazardous living conditions. As geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt shipping lanes, the industry faces mounting pressure to address the abandonment of workers who are left to fend for themselves in one of the world’s most dangerous waters. For survivors like Puniya, the trauma of the attack and the loss of his colleague have ended his career at sea, leaving him to grapple with the haunting reality of a system that prioritizes trade over the lives of those who facilitate it.