For 115 days, captain Mohammad Shafiqul Islam was stranded on the high seas of the Gulf, watching missiles light up the night sky and rationing food and water for his crew. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementThe ensuing war saw the economically vital Strait of Hormuz paralysed and commercial shipping in the Gulf repeatedly targeted in Iranian attacks. Bangladesh's ambassador to the UAE urged Islam to evacuate, but the captain chose to stay aboard, hoping the situation would stabilise. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementAfter a ceasefire was announced in April, Islam again tried to cross the chokepoint, only to be turned away once more. "Every time I return home, my family tells me enough is enough, it's time to leave the sea," he said.