‘We could see the missiles coming’: A captain’s call that ended 2 weeks of fear

It was close to 2 am on March 14 when MT Shivalik sailed past the final stretch of the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz and entered the safer waters of the Gulf of Oman. Captain Sukhmeet Singh (39) looked at the Chief Officer and Second Officer on the navigation bridge, and said, “We are out of danger now — tell everyone and tell them to inform their families too.” The two officers shook hands with their captain, said, “Thank you, sir,” and, overwhelmed, stepped forward to hug him. Within minutes,...