2024 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea: Honoring Maritime Heroes

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) awarded 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 a ceremony in London this week. This event followed the opening session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109), where IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez praised the recipients for their courage and selflessness, calling their bravery an inspiration.

Captain Avhilash Rawat and the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged Marlin Luanda were recognized for their heroic actions during an attack by Iranian-backed Houthis in January 2024. While transporting over 84,000 tons of Naphtha, their vessel was hit by an uncrewed aerial device, causing a massive fire that engulfed the cargo tank. Despite losing critical lifeboats and facing the threat of further attacks, Captain Rawat and his crew fought the fire using foam monitors and seawater.

International naval forces, including those from France, the US, and India, eventually assisted in extinguishing the flames after a grueling 24-hour effort. Captain Rawat emphasized the teamwork and resilience that helped them overcome the dire situation.

The second award went to Captain Jorge Fernando Galaviz Fuentes and the crew of the tugboat Pemex Maya for their bravery during Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm that struck Mexico’s Pacific coast with winds over 185 mph. In dark and dangerous conditions, they successfully executed complex rescue operations, saving six shipwrecked individuals from four different vessels.

During the ceremony, numerous other maritime professionals were also recognized with Certificates and Letters of Commendation for their exceptional service in rescue operations worldwide, including special acknowledgment for crews involved in migrant rescues at sea.

Notable recipients included 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 for their firefighting support aboard the Marlin Luanda, and United States Coast Guard personnel for their efforts in towing distressed vessels during cyclones and rescuing individuals affected by the Lahaina wildfires.