Three Canadian maritime students from Quebec spent more than two weeks marooned on board cargo ships in the Persian Gulf. Now they are finally safe back in home. Their nightmare began on February 28. Iran’s increased attacks and threats on traffic through the important Strait of Hormuz escalated tensions with the U.S. and allies, putting the waterway on the verge of being impassable.
Mélanie Leblanc, director of the Ontario maritime training institute, recently confirmed the students’ participation in a new program with Quebec-based shipping company Desgagnés. The trio are leading participants in this unique and fruitful opportunity. The institute’s 25 students are currently sailing aboard ships all over the world. Leblanc, who’s enjoyed the worst-kept secret in D.C. after 14 years with the independent public institution, called the moment unique.
The students’ shipmates, meanwhile, were held captive on two floating cargo colleges blinded by the blockade. During this time, communication remained a priority. Leblanc to witness each week.” Every day we would talk by telephone or correspond by writing. Not one day passed without that link staying intact. She shared that staying connected was critical to making sure the students felt supported during their crisis.
Only two of the students were eventually able to disembark when their ship was unloading cargo at a Saudi port. The disembarkation was properly arranged with local authorities and organized by the shipowner. The third student had a more complicated case. Saudi officials rejected the transfer as being made by a smaller service boat. To account for this, the ship had to book a precise docking window time to guarantee the student was able to disembark safely.
Leblanc explained that beyond the daytime trauma of students being left stranded, there was trauma about students’ learning experiences taking place on these ships. To illustrate, she noted, when the ships couldn’t run business as usual, they really needed to focus on how much learning was actually occurring on the ships. Parents were justifiably anxious about their children during those months.
Once they were able to wobble through these hurdles, all three students rejoined their classmates in Quebec on Friday. Their journey involved multiple flights, first from Saudi Arabia to London and then connecting to London–Toronto. Looking back on the experience, Leblanc remarked, “It has definitely made us stay on our toes the last two weeks.” She added that she was happy the situation ended well, stating, “It was all wonderful, we’re very pleased.”
