A Filipino seafarer and popular online maritime content creator has warned fellow sailors against entering the Black Sea after surviving a series of drone attacks that left another vessel damaged and forced his own ship to seek safety in Turkey.
Diskarteng Marino, a chief mate with 2.6 million followers, said his ship was leaving the Black Sea last week when a nearby vessel was attacked by five Russian drones. The crew was forced to abandon the stricken ship.
He said no other vessel initially offered assistance, prompting his crew to intervene.
“All 21 crew members, including 17 Filipinos and four Romanians, are now safe and are being arranged to be sent home,” he said.
The rescue was followed by another attack just six hours later. Diskarteng Marino’s own ship was struck by two drones and suffered substantial damage. The vessel managed to reach Turkey, where it is now undergoing repairs.
The chief mate described the experience as traumatic and urged sailors to reconsider travelling to the conflict zone.
“If you are on your way here, I am not saying take care. I am saying, ‘Do not proceed,’” he said.
He recalled daily alarms at ports, ships being towed to safety and explosions visible on the horizon at night. Although sailors had been instructed not to take photographs, he shared images from the area to raise awareness about the risks faced by crews operating there.
“Refuse when you can refuse,” he told other seafarers, adding that he would not return to the region.
His experience echoes concerns raised by other Filipino sailors about the growing dangers of working in conflict zones.
Francis, an oil tanker bosun with 30 years of maritime experience, previously told the Khaleej Times that he and six colleagues had expressed concerns about travelling through the Red Sea because of missile and drone threats.
When their tanker reached Singapore, Francis chose to leave the vessel, despite having a month remaining on his contract. He later reunited with his wife in Manila to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.
The dangers facing seafarers have also increased around the Arabian Gulf. The International Maritime Organization has reported that more than 11,000 seafarers remain aboard about 500 vessels unable to leave the Gulf because of concerns over missile and drone attacks around the Strait of Hormuz.
The IMO said at least 20 sailors and dockworkers had been killed in incidents in the region since the end of February, while 35 others were injured and one remained missing.
Efforts are continuing to establish a safe maritime route out of the Gulf, but the IMO said the possibility of evacuating trapped crews depends heavily on a reduction in tensions between the United States and Iran.
Meanwhile, the International Transport Workers’ Federation and its affiliated unions are offering counselling and other support to seafarers dealing with trauma caused by working in conflict-affected areas.
