Months of being trapped by the Strait of Hormuz blockade have left sailors stressed and exhausted, with the Royal Navy now on high alert. The blockade, imposed by Iran in retaliation for Western sanctions, has stranded merchant vessels in the Gulf, their crews unable to rotate home or access shore leave. Union representatives report deteriorating mental health, with some sailors showing signs of severe fatigue and anxiety.
'It's a ticking time bomb,' said one officer, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Royal Navy has increased patrols to prevent any escalation, but the real crisis is on the water: men and women trapped in metal boxes, counting the days until they can see their families again.
