Terrified and unable to sleep in their cabins after a harrowing attack by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, the crew of an oil tanker huddled together in the ship’s corridors. The attack, which began in the Gulf of Aden and continued into the Red Sea, marked one of the most intense naval confrontations since World War II, reports Sailors Society.
Red Sea Attack
In their moment of distress, a crew member reached out for help from Ailton de Souza, a chaplain with the Sailors’ Society. The global maritime welfare charity provides round-the-clock support to seafarers and their families, assisting them through crises ranging from attacks to piracy and accidents at sea.
Despite the missiles from the Houthis causing damage to the ship, no crew members were seriously injured or killed. However, the psychological impact was profound. Crew members experienced severe emotional trauma, including panic attacks, insomnia, and nightmares. They found solace in Ailton’s consistent support and communication.
Ailton noted that the crew was deeply affected, with one seaman expressing gratitude for the emotional support that helped him sleep better after shifts. As the crew members were eventually treated in hospital and reunited with their families, Ailton continued to offer support throughout their recovery.
Patrick Ryan from the UK P&I Club praised the Sailors’ Society’s Crisis Response Network for its vital role in helping seafarers through such traumatic events, highlighting the ongoing need for support despite preventive efforts.
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Source: Sailor’s Society
