Lack of internet coverage and access due to state-level shutdowns in Iran is exacerbating deep concerns of families of criminalised crew held in-country.

Since the start of the street demonstrations in Iran reflecting popular dissent of the regime’s handling of the economy, Human Rights at Sea has been contacted by concerned families of criminalised seafarers imprisoned onshore and detained in their vessels offshore.

Temporary deprivation of liberty for crew is a significant issue for seafarers recruited and employed to work in the Gulf region.

In one case, a fellow seafarer who is trying to contact his family member urged urgent intervention: 

“My brother is a seafarer and has been detained in Bandar Abbas, Iran since July. The recent internet shutdown in Iran has cut off our family's only lifeline to him, leaving us in a state of agonizing uncertainty. 

We are deeply concerned about his safety and well-being, and the lack of communication is taking a severe toll on our family's mental health. 

My family's situation is dire, and we desperately need help to bring him home."

Internet Access

Today’s virtual total reliance on assured internet access and global coverage both on land and at sea is a key factor in determining, supporting and exposing working conditions of crew. 

Regular access is required to enable the family following of their loved-one’s cases, for tracking of due process and court decisions, and for ensuring that access to justice is achieved.

Further, regular remote updates are key for limiting crew exposure to unnecessary delay in individual cases while they invariably remain in states of debilitating limbo.

Increasingly, assured internet access it is a deciding factor in recruitment and retention, especially when considering the threats to families, dependents and the wider impact of imprisonment for breadwinners.

Criminalisation

The continued challenges of apparent automatic criminalisation of seafarers caught unawares by alleged participation unlawful activity by their vessel continues globally. 

The matter of Chief Mate Ali Albokhari sentenced to 30 years in a Turkish jail is another important maritime case which remains yet unresolved, while directly and daily impacting the lives of not just the seafarer, but their family too.

Exacerbated by the impact of limited communication access in to and out of Iran combined with the deterioration of international state-level political relationships, the seafarer criminalisation issue paints a dire picture of potential crew employment realities not just in the Gulf region, but worldwide.

ENDS.

Source: Human Rights at Sea 2026.

AI. AI was not used in the drafting of this article.

Photo Credit: Human Rights at Sea.

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