The International
Maritime Organization (IMO) presented the 2024 IMO Award for Exceptional
Bravery at Sea to the Captain and crew of the oil tanker Marlin Luanda and
the tugboat Pemex Maya during the annual IMO Awards Ceremony
held this week in London. The ceremony
followed the opening session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109). IMO
Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez lauded the recipients for their courage and
selflessness, stating “Their bravery is an inspiration for all of us.”
The first recipients,
Captain Avhilash Rawat and the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged oil
tanker Marlin Luanda, earned recognition for their heroic response to a
harrowing attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in January 2024. While
transporting over 84,000 tons of Naphtha, their vessel was struck by an
uncrewed aerial device, igniting a catastrophic fire that engulfed its cargo
tank, with flames reaching more 5 meters above deck.
Despite the destruction of critical lifeboats and
the constant risk of further attacks, Captain Rawat and his crew mounted a
relentless firefighting effort using foam monitors and seawater. Support eventually arrived from international
naval forces, including vessels from France, the U.S., and India, whose
firefighters helped extinguish the flames after a 24-hour ordeal. Captain
Rawat, speaking at the ceremony, highlighted the teamwork and resilience that
turned the tide against overwhelming odds. “I want to take this opportunity to
thank my entire crew for their exceptional courage, professionalism, and
unwavering dedication,” Captain Rawat remarked. “Together, we overcame
challenges that seemed insurmountable.”
The second award
recognized the exceptional bravery of Captain Jorge Fernando Galaviz Fuentes
and the crew of tugboat Pemex Maya during Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm
that ravaged Mexico’s Pacific coast with winds exceeding 185 mph. In complete
darkness and treacherous conditions, they executed complex rescue maneuvers to
save six shipwrecked persons from four different vessels.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez praised the
recipients: “It is truly an honour to recognize these heroic individuals, who
took it upon themselves to act in the face of extreme danger at sea, to save
lives. Their bravery is an inspiration for all of us.”
The ceremony, also
recognized numerous other maritime professionals with Certificates and Letters
of Commendation for their exceptional service in rescue operations worldwide,
including special recognition for crews involved in migrant rescues at sea.
Notable recipients included: Captain Jerôme Noël Mougoula
Saguiliba and Lieutenant Crépin Manfoumbi Mengara for their
heroic roles in rescuing 150 passengers from the sunken ferry Esther
Miracle off Gabon;aptain Brijesh Nambiar and the crew of INS
Visakhapatnam, Indian Navy, for their critical firefighting support aboard
the Marlin Luanda and United States Coast Guard personnel for their
courageous efforts in towing distressed vessels during cyclones and rescuing
individuals trapped by the Lahaina wildfires.