Navigating the Unpredictable
Captain Mohit Kohli shares his experience of navigating the Strait of Hormuz during a time of heightened tensions and military activity.
A Theatre of Uncertainty
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route, was transformed into a battlefield, leaving commercial shipping unprepared.
From the bridge, the horizon was no longer just sea and sky, but a theatre of uncertainty, with missiles, drones, and unpredictable radar echoes.
Leadership in Crisis
Captain Kohli had to make decisions alone, with responsibility for the ship, cargo, and crew, and counter the corrosive effect of misinformation among the crew.
- Filtering truth from noise
- Reassuring the crew with calm clarity
- Reminding them that vigilance must not give way to hysteria
Prioritizing Safety
Captain Kohli had to balance operational needs with safety, reducing non-essential maintenance, prioritizing manpower for emergency readiness, and conserving crew strength for critical operations.
Leadership Essentials
- Motivating the crew when fear was natural
- Preparing for emergencies without letting panic dictate actions
- Transparent communication to counter rumours
- Critical thinking to separate fact from fabrication