AN IRISH SAILOR and marine electrical technician who is trapped on board a bulk gas carrier in the Gulf has spoken of the uncertainty crews in the region are facing. 

Nathan O’Mahony from Cork, who is a former student of the Maritime College in Ringaskiddy, is on board a liquid gas carrier which is anchored off Qatar. 

O’Mahony told the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork’s Red FM that he has no clue when the carrier will be able to resume its voyage arising out of the conflict between the US-Israel and Iran.

The sailor said that he joined the “massive ship” in Singapore and was heading to Qatar to load liquid natural gas before going onwards to China with its cargo.

“We are just off the coast of Qatar – [by] one of the biggest gas facilities they have. We are at anchorage outside that area. We are a bit out of the way at the moment. 

“We are carrying liquid natural gas. We are probably carrying about 100,000 cubic metres.

“Everything has come to a halt at the moment. There are about 3,200 ships currently stuck inside the Persian Gulf.”

O’Mahony said that he and his 38 crew mates are eagerly waiting for an update as to when they can restart their journey. 

“Since that warning [about the Straits of Hormuz], all the ships in the area – company policies etc – have all decided to sit still, don’t move and don’t put yourselves in the way of danger.

“We are all hoping that this will blow over.”

Two ships have already been attacked by Iranian missiles and drones close to the Straits of Hormuz including a US carrier.

“Two oil tankers have been attacked – I believe one of them was a US oil tanker,” said O’Mahony.

“I wouldn’t have the complete facts on that but I understand ships have been shot at.

“For me, I can see about 50 odd ships in our immediate area. Farther away I can see Ras Shaffan which is the port we came from. I can see the shore.”

“I am thankful and very lucky – I am thankful to God – I have not seen anything [missiles or drones] overhead.

“The question everyone is asking is that [when we can leave]. I don’t think anyone knows.

“It depends on when they sort all of this out in the Middle East. No one [at sea] is moving. It is all at a standstill.”

Iran has indicated that vessels attempting to pass through the Straits of Hormuz during the conflict could well be targeted.

O’Mahony said that nobody one really knows what the situation is at the moment.

“No one is going to risk moving with that much oil or gas on these ships.

“If they are attacked or targeted that would be a massive issue.”

“We are lucky enough that we have a freshwater generator – we have input sea water and purify it so we have fresh water. That is not a concern. And we have enough food on board for two months. That is standard procedure.”

O’Mahony is now on his second trip through the Gulf.

“This is my second trip – my first trip was at the end of July last year and then I was home for the start of December. I was on board my last ship for four months. I was supposed to be on board this time for five months.

“I joined two weeks ago so I have another four and a half months to go. It is kind of hard being stuck here but I wasn’t going home anytime soon anyway.

“No one really knows – we could still be heading to China. I can only imagine what people are going through on land.

“But in terms of my situation we are taking it handy. There is no point stressing about it because there is nothing we can do about it. We can only keep our spirits up and hope for the best.”

He added that he is in regular contact with his family in Ireland via text and online messages.

“To be honest, it is wrecking my head a bit – we are still working on board. You are sitting around and you are trying to keep regular working hours.

“At night the crew gets together and tries to keep everyone’s spirits up. You have to keep up hope.”