Bhubaneswar, April 12 -- Odia marine officer, Ashok Dixit, who recently returned from the Strait of Hormuz, recounted his 36-day ordeal after being stranded amid escalating Middle East tensions, where missile threats, naval restrictions and constant alerts made survival at sea a daily challenge.

Dixit described the situation as extremely challenging, with nearly 3,000 ships stranded in the Strait during the peak of the crisis. Movement was heavily restricted, and uncertainty loomed large as tensions escalated.

"We crossed the Strait of Hormuz under extremely difficult conditions," said Odia marine officer recalling the fear and pressure faced by the crew.

Living Under Missile Threat

Sailors lived in constant fear, he said, as mobile a...