The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has recognised extraordinary courage and selflessness at sea by presenting 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. The awards were presented during the IMO’s annual ceremony held in London this week, following the opening session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109).
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez commended the recipients, calling their actions “an inspiration for all of us.”
Captain Avhilash Rawat and the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Marlin Luanda were celebrated for their heroic efforts during a devastating attack by Iranian-backed Houthis in January 2024. While transporting 84,000 tons of Naphtha, their vessel was struck by an uncrewed aerial device, sparking a massive fire that engulfed the cargo tank. Flames soared more than five meters above deck, rendering critical lifeboats unusable and leaving the crew exposed to further attacks.
Undeterred, Captain Rawat and his team launched an extraordinary firefighting operation, using foam monitors and seawater to battle the inferno. After 24 grueling hours, international naval forces, including units from France, the U.S., and India, arrived to help extinguish the flames.
At the ceremony, Captain Rawat reflected on their triumph over adversity: “I want to take this opportunity to thank my entire crew for their exceptional courage, professionalism, and unwavering dedication. Together, we overcame challenges that seemed insurmountable.”
The second award honoured Captain Jorge Fernando Galaviz Fuentes and the crew of the tugboat Pemex Maya for their heroic efforts during Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm that struck Mexico’s Pacific coast with winds exceeding 185 mph. In near-impossible conditions of darkness and violent seas, they executed daring rescue maneuvers, saving six shipwrecked individuals from four different vessels. Their quick thinking and determination saved lives in the face of unparalleled danger.
IMO Secretary-General Dominguez applauded their actions, stating: “It is truly an honor to recognize these heroic individuals, who acted in the face of extreme danger to save lives.”
The ceremony also recognised numerous other maritime professionals with Certificates and Letters of Commendation for their life-saving efforts.
Among the notable honorees were Captain Jerôme Noël Mougoula Saguiliba and Lieutenant Crépin Manfoumbi Mengara, for rescuing 150 passengers from the sunken ferry Esther Miracle off Gabon; Captain 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 towing distressed vessels during cyclones and rescuing individuals trapped by the Lahaina wildfires.
The event underscored the resilience, professionalism, and humanity of maritime professionals who risk their lives to ensure the safety of others at sea.
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