China sailor creates ‘radio station’ to connect families with seamen stranded in Strait of Hormuz

A Chinese man has used public maritime radio to create a “family’s voice station” on which sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz can relay safety messages to their families.Liu Yiwen, a native of Jilin province in northeastern China, is a second officer on a Singaporean commercial ship which is now anchored near the Khor Fakkan harbour administered by the United Arab Emirates, China’s state media CCTV reported.The ship had planned to head to the Persian Gulf to load liquid petroleum gas (LPG), but is stuck in the war-torn waterway like hundreds of others after the US and Israel jointly launched a war against Iran on February 28.A long-distance image of one of many explosions in and around the war-torn strait. Photo: DouyinAs most sailors face telecommunication signal blocks, Liu is fortunate to still be able to access the internet because the ship he is aboard is near the land, although his connection can be unstable, he said.Ships communicate among each other via a VHF (very high frequency) radio, which is like a maritime walkie-talkie as it only works over a short distance.Liu said in early March, he heard a Chinese sailor asking on the VHF radio if other people could access the internet, adding that he was anxious about not being able to get in touch with his family.Liu said, “My family has been sending me messages via a social media platform frequently these days. So I think his family should also be anxious.”Commercial seaman Liu Yiwen pictured on board his stranded ship. Photo: Douyin