Indian tanker captain honoured for ‘exceptional courage’ after missile strike

AN INDIAN ship captain has received the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) 2024 award for exceptional bravery at sea for his “extraordinary courage” shown in a Red Sea rescue mission earlier this year.

Captain Avhilash Rawat accepted the award on behalf of his crew of the oil tanker, Marlin Luanda, at an awards ceremony at the IMO headquarters in London on Monday (3) evening.

The captain and crew were praised for their “determination and endurance” while coordinating firefighting and damage control efforts after a fire broke out when an anti-ship ballistic missile struck their vessel in January. The explosion ignited a cargo tank, creating a significant fire hazard.

In his acceptance speech, Rawat thanked the crew “for their exceptional courage, professionalism, and unwavering dedication”. He added, “Your support and trust were invaluable during those critical hours, and together, we overcame challenges that seemed insurmountable.”

He also praised the Indian, French and US navies, saying, “your timely intervention and steadfast commitment were crucial in guiding us through the most critical moments of our firefighting efforts.”

Captain Brijesh Nambiar and the crew of the Indian Navy ship, INS Visakhapatnam, were conferred a “letter of commendation” for their support to Marlin Luanda when in distress.

“Twenty-four hours after the missile strike, the Marlin Luanda sailed to safety under naval escort,” the IMO citation noted.

Asked about security concerns in the Red Sea, which has been the target of Yemen’s Houthi fighters, Rawat noted that the situation remains “tense”

“I would request, stop sending ships through the Red Sea. My company has already stopped after this incident,” he said.

Rawat, who hails from Dehradun, is a master mariner with Suntech Ship Management.

In a message to those considering a seafaring career, he said: “The life at sea has always been very lucrative. It is a very good profession and youngsters should be encouraged to join.

“It enables us to know different people, countries and cultures. It instils great confidence and helps one survive in any situation.”

The annual IMO awards provide international recognition to those who put their own lives at risk in performing acts of exceptional bravery, displaying outstanding courage in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment.