On March 1, the MKD Vyom, a tanker bound for Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, was struck by an explosion in the Gulf of Oman, part of escalating tensions due to US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran. Basis, a seafarer on board, recounted the terrifying moment when the blast knocked him unconscious, followed by thick smoke and flames engulfing the engine room. Despite his efforts to escape, he tragically lost his colleague, Dixit Solanki, who was presumed dead in the wreckage. The crew, consisting of 21 members from Ukraine, India, and Bangladesh, struggled for four hours to extinguish the fire before being ordered to abandon the ship. Basis emphasized the need for better protections for seafarers in conflict zones, as the ongoing crisis has left many stranded and without adequate support. Since the conflict began on February 28, the International Transport Workers' Federation has reported a dramatic rise in requests for assistance, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated evacuation plans for the thousands of seafarers trapped in the region. Basis called on shipping nations to prioritize the safety and repatriation of these innocent victims of geopolitical strife.