Remembering the Galaxy Leader Crew’s Ongoing Detention

We recently passed November 19, 2024, which marked the one-year anniversary of the Galaxy Leader crew’s detention by the Houthis in Yemen. These 25 seafarers—17 Filipinos, two Bulgarians, three Ukrainians, two Mexicans, and one Romanian—were simply carrying out their duty, transporting critical cargo across the seas to support the global economy, when they were unjustly seized. To this date, they remain held against their will with no allegations of wrongdoing. Additionally, these men are now being used as political leverage in a conflict in which they have no involvement.

Over this past year, they have likely missed birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, births, and other significant life moments. Mariners often sacrifice such personal milestones in their line of work, but they do so with the expectation of an eventual reunion with family and friends at home. For these seafarers, those sacrifices have been magnified without reason, as now a full year has passed without any assurance of their release.

The Seamen’s Church Institute’s Center for Mariner Advocacy, along with a coalition of international organizations, shipping companies, NGOs, and concerned nations, has relentlessly advocated for their freedom. Despite these efforts, there has been no success to date. On this unfortunate anniversary, let us remember these seafarers and their families who are enduring an indefinite separation, not for any crime but simply because they were doing their jobs. SCI will remain committed to advocating for their release.