Teknaf-St Martin’s Island trawler services back on as weather clears after four days

Two service trawlers carrying passengers and emergency food supplies have left Teknaf for the island

Passenger and cargo trawlers have resumed operations on the Teknaf–St Martin’s Island route after a four-day suspension caused by rough seas and a weather alert.

Around 11:30am on Monday, two service trawlers carrying 77 passengers and emergency food supplies departed from the Kaukhaliya docks in Teknaf for the island.

Rashid Ahmed, president of the Teknaf–St Martin's River Route Service Trawler Owners Association, said all water transport had been suspended from Thursday to Sunday due to a deep depression and rough sea conditions triggered by the new moon.

Although the Bangladesh Meteorological Department withdrew its marine warning on Sunday morning, high waves kept vessels off the water until Monday noon.

Ticket seller Mohammad Omar Faruq said two trawlers, SB Rafia and SB Ashik, left with passengers, including women and children, while a separate service trawler carried vegetables and other food items to the island.

Among the passengers was Ali Ahmed, a resident of St Martin’s Island who had been stranded in Teknaf for 10 days after travelling there for medical treatment.

“My family was stranded on the island, and I was here alone,” he said.

With the resumption of services and administrative approval, he and about 50 others, including women and children, were able to head back.

Fayezul Islam, acting chairman of Saintmartin Union Parishad, said the suspension had caused a food shortage on the island, which is a recurring hardship during the monsoon. He reported that around 10am, two trawlers with over 150 passengers had departed the island for Teknaf.

Fayezul urged the government to introduce emergency sea transport, such as sea-trucks and sea ambulances, for islanders.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi (executive) Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin confirmed that the service resumed only after conditions normalised.