LONDON: Captain Avhilash Rawat and his crew from the oil tanker Marlin Luanda have been awarded the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2024 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. This recognition comes for their "extraordinary courage" during a rescue mission in the Red Sea. The IMO announced the winners on Wednesday, praising their "determination and endurance" in managing firefighting and damage control after their vessel was struck by an anti-ship missile, reportedly fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

Incident Details

Attack and Fire: On January 26, 2024, the Marlin Luanda, carrying 84,147 tonnes of Naphtha, was hit by an anti-ship ballistic missile while en route from Suez to Incheon. The explosion ignited a cargo tank, creating a significant fire hazard with flames reaching over five meters high.

Immediate Response: Despite severe damage, Captain Rawat quickly organized firefighting efforts, ensuring the safety of his crew and keeping the ship navigable. With the starboard lifeboat destroyed, the crew gathered at the port lifeboat station, ready for potential evacuation.

Courageous Efforts

Captain Rawat and his crew battled the fire using fixed foam monitors and portable hoses, even as the blaze continued to spread. When foam supplies were depleted, they used seawater to contain the fire. After four and a half hours of relentless effort, they received support from the merchant tanker Achilles, the French frigate FS Alsace, the United States frigate USS Carney, and finally the Indian warship INS Visakhapatnam.

Despite recurring flare-ups, the Marlin Luanda crew, alongside professional firefighters from the Indian Navy, managed to extinguish the fire and seal a significant hull breach. The vessel was escorted to safety 24 hours after the missile strike.

Additional Recognitions

Captain Brijesh Nambiar and the crew of the Indian Navy ship INS Visakhapatnam were commended for their assistance to the Marlin Luanda.

Award Ceremony

Captain Rawat and his crew, nominated by the Marshall Islands, will receive their awards at the IMO Headquarters in London on December 2, during the 109th session of the Maritime Safety Committee. They will be honored alongside Captain Jorge Fernando Galaviz Fuentes and the crew of the tugboat Pemex Maya, nominated by Mexico.

Selection Process

The IMO received 41 nominations from 15 member states and three non-governmental organizations. An Assessment Panel reviewed the nominations, and their recommendations were endorsed by a panel of judges and the IMO Council during its 132nd session in London this week.

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