The Second Captain of M/V Star Peace, Antonis Mountes, who hails from the seafaring island of Chios, speaks with Antonis Karagiannakis on “Fair Winds and Following Seas” on Voice of Greece.
Throughout this period of conflict in the Persian Gulf, Captain Antonis, along with the vessel’s 21 crew members, has been anchored off Bahrain, awaiting orders and developments in the region so they can safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz—the well-known maritime choke point.
The vessel had previously discharged grain cargo in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, having sailed from Argentina. After taking on supplies, it was unable to depart the area and now remains on standby as the situation unfolds.
“Our morale remains strong, and we continue with the daily routine of life at anchor. Bulk carriers are relatively low-risk vessels—not like tankers or gas carriers. We are waiting for this situation, which is affecting the entire world, to come to an end—essentially to see where this agreement between rival groups will lead—so that we can leave,” Captain Antonis notes.
“We haven’t seen or heard much, as we are quite isolated. Before departing the port, there was noticeable activity and we could hear sirens. Now, our priority is our physical safety, security, and peace of mind, as well as that of all seafarers in the region. There is certainly concern, but we are trying to manage it as calmly and positively as possible. Here at anchorage, we follow our daily routine—and of course, we fish. Thank God, there is plenty of good fish in these waters,” adds the ship’s chief clerk of the Star Peace.
Produced and presented by Antonis Karagiannakis