Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

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

Captain Avhilash Rawat accepted the award on behalf of his crew of the oil tanker, Marlin Luanda

Indian tanker captain honoured for ‘exceptional courage’ after missile strike
Avhilash Rawat with his award

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.

More For You

Donald Trump

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Getty Images

Trump’s tariffs hit global markets, Starmer warns of 'economic impact'

The UK and other global economies reacted on Thursday to US president Donald Trump's newly imposed tariffs, with prime minister Keir Starmer warning of an “economic impact” from the 10 per cent levy on British exports.

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Keep ReadingShow less
India told to prepare for deadly rise in temperatures

The country can expect more heatwave days this year

India told to prepare for deadly rise in temperatures

INDIA can expect hotter-thanusual temperatures this summer with more heatwave days taking a toll on lives and livelihoods, the weather office warned.

The country is no stranger to scorching summers, but years of scientific research has found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tower Hamlets secures funding to save domestic abuse support jobs

The planned strike action was called off after the external funding was secured

Tower Hamlets secures funding to save domestic abuse support jobs

Ruby Gregory

REDUNDANCY proposals which would have seen job cuts made to a ‘crucial’ domestic abuse support service in Tower Hamlets have been called off.

Solace Women’s Aid, which planned to make cuts, confirmed last Friday (28) the redundancies were no longer going ahead, following a boost in external funding which followed a threat of strike action.

Keep ReadingShow less
Report reveals Birmingham’s doctors face racism and bullying
Absences have risen at the Queen Elizabeth and Heartlands Hospitals in Birmingham, as well as Good Hope in Sutton and Solihull Hospital

Report reveals Birmingham’s doctors face racism and bullying

Gurdip Thandi

YOUNG doctors in Birmingham hospitals face a ‘shocking’ number of incidents of bullying, racism and sexism from patients and other staff.

The Medical Academy Annual Report was presented to a University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust board meeting, which revealed the data.

Keep ReadingShow less
Former police officer arrested in Rotherham investigation

Investigators believe the earlier offences happened between 1995 and 2002 (Photo for representation: iStock)

Former police officer arrested in Rotherham investigation

A FORMER police officer has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into child sexual abuse in Rotherham, authorities revealed on Tuesday (1).

The former constable, who is in his 50s, was taken into custody on Monday (31). He is suspected of raping a teenage girl in the South Yorkshire town in 2004, according to officials.

Keep ReadingShow less