Barbadian-Flagged Bulk Carrier Hit By Gunfire In Strait Of Hormuz, Sailor Says “We Were Attacked”

A sailor on board the bulk carrier Ocean Pretty said the ship came under gunfire and rocket attack while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.

The sailor said no crew members were injured, but the ship is now stuck near Bandar Abbas, waiting for inspection. The report has not been independently confirmed.

Messages shared in a private WeChat group and seen by AFP show the sailor writing, “We were attacked,” adding that the ship received no warning before the incident.

The Ocean Pretty, a Barbadian-flagged bulk carrier, was trying to pass through the narrow waterway when it was reportedly hit. The extent of damage is not clear.

Ship tracking data later showed the vessel off Bandar Abbas. The crew has remained on board since the incident.

Other sailors in the group reacted with concern but also relief that no one was hurt.

Some questioned whether it is worth taking such risks, even if companies offer extra money for completing the voyage. One message warned that surviving the journey matters more than any payment.

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has become tense in recent weeks. The route is one of the busiest in the world and carries nearly 20% of global oil trade.

Since the conflict began, many ships have stopped using the route or are waiting in nearby waters for safer conditions. Only a small number of vessels are still attempting to pass through.

The sailor also said the ship had raised Chinese flags while trying to move through the area, a step sometimes taken in risky zones. However, messages in the group warned that such measures may not guarantee safety.

References: news18, al-monitor