Trapped after war breaks out in Iran, Bangladesh seafarer recounts Gulf ordeal

DHAKA - For 115 days, captain Mohammad Shafiqul Islam was stranded on the high seas of the Gulf, watching missiles light up the night sky and rationing food and water for his crew.“I tried to stay calm because I was responsible for 31 lives, a ship worth US$40 million, and cargo valued at US$8.2 million,” the 51-year-old Bangladeshi mariner told AFP, back home after the ordeal.Islam was the captain of the Banglar Joyjatra, a bulk carrier that had arrived in the Gulf a month before the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February.The ensuing war saw the economically vital Strait of Hormuz paralysed and commercial shipping in the Gulf repeatedly targeted in Iranian attacks.The Joyjatra, chartered by a Singapore-based company, was marooned for nearly four months.“We loaded 39