Indian Captain and Crew Honored with “Exceptional Bravery” Awards for Red Sea Rescue Operation

Mr. Rawat and his crew were declared winners by the IMO on Wednesday for their outstanding coordination of firefighting and damage control efforts after their vessel, ‘Marlin Luanda’, was hit by an anti-ship missile earlier this year. The crew displayed determination and endurance in ensuring the safety of the ship and the crew.

Captain Brijesh Nambiar and the crew of the Indian Navy ship INS Visakhapatnam were also recognized for their support to the distressed oil tanker. The Marlin Luanda was carrying a large amount of Naphtha when it was struck, causing significant damage.

Despite the chaos, Captain Avhilash Rawat swiftly organized firefighting efforts and maintained the ship’s navigability. The crew’s bravery was evident as they fought the fire using available resources until assistance arrived.

Several other ships, including the merchant tanker Achilles, the French frigate FS Alsace, and the United States frigate USS Carney, provided support and firefighting foam to combat the blaze. After facing the possibility of abandoning the vessel, the turning point came when professionally trained firefighters from the Indian Navy boarded the ship, enabling the Marlin Luanda to sail to safety under naval escort within 24 hours of the missile strike.

Mr. Rawat and his crew’s nomination for the award was made by the Marshall Islands, and they will receive their awards at the annual ceremony to be held at the IMO Headquarters in London. This recognition was bestowed after considering 41 nominations from various member states and non-governmental organizations.

The recipients were selected through a thorough review process conducted by an Assessment Panel and a panel of judges, whose recommendations have been endorsed by the IMO Council.