‘Like being in prison’: the ship crews stuck in Gulf since February

US-Iran war has stranded up to 20,000 seafarers, mostly Indian and Filipino crews, with none knowing when the nightmare will end The panicked crew of a cargo ship broadcast a distress signal late on Monday night from their location in the strait of Hormuz . About 20 nautical miles north of the coast of Oman, the Minoan Pioneer bulk carrier was hit by an unknown projectile, causing a blackout in the engine room and a fire in the accommodation area. The crew scrambled to put out the blaze and called for help from nearby vessels.