Tawhidul Islam, Cox's Bazar 

After remaining suspended for eight consecutive days, boat services have resumed on the Teknaf-Saint Martin’s sea route. On Tuesday, more than 300 passengers traveled to Saint Martin’s Island aboard three trawlers, while two cargo trawlers carrying various food supplies also made their way to the island. Additionally, six empty service trawlers reached the island.

Abdur Rashid, president of the Service Trawler Owners’ Association of the Teknaf-Saint Martin’s sea route, confirmed the information.

He said that starting from 3:00 PM on Tuesday, a total of 11 trawlers left one after another from Teknaf Municipality’s Kayukkhaliya canal jetty for Saint Martin’s Island. Among them, three trawlers carried over 300 passengers, two carried food items and vegetables, and the remaining six were empty service trawlers. According to the latest information, by 7:00 PM all the trawlers had safely reached Saint Martin’s Island.

Mohammad Omar Faruk, a ticket seller for the service trawlers on the Teknaf-Saint Martin’s route, said that as the weather improved after noon on Tuesday, passenger trawlers SB Mawat, SB Osman Goni, and SB Sumaiya carried over 300 passengers. Alongside them, two service trawlers loaded with food and vegetables, as well as six service trawlers that had taken shelter in Teknaf due to inclement weather, departed for the island — making a total of 11 trawlers. Many passengers, finally able to return home after eight days, were seen shedding tears while holding their tickets.

Amir Hossain, a resident of Dailpara, said he had been stranded in Teknaf since last Monday. Due to rough seas, boat services had been suspended. His family was on Saint Martin’s Island while he was stuck in Teknaf. "I feared I wouldn’t be able to go home for Eid-ul-Adha this year," he said. "Now that the situation has improved and with the administration’s permission to resume service trawlers, myself and nearly 300 island residents are finally heading back to Saint Martin’s. Everyone’s faces are filled with joy."

Teknaf UNO  Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said that as the sea became calm, boat services resumed from Tuesday afternoon.

The last boat carrying goods had left for Saint Martin’s Island on May 25. That evening, due to rough weather conditions, the Upazila administration suspended all boat services on the route. Boat movement remained halted for the following eight days, leading to a shortage of daily necessities and essential supplies on the island.