In the vast and unpredictable expanse of the world’s oceans, acts of exceptional bravery stand as beacons of hope and humanity. This year, the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea will honor two remarkable groups: the captain and crew of the oil tanker Marlin Luanda, for their extraordinary efforts in extinguishing a fire after the vessel was struck by an anti-ship missile; and the captain and crew of the tugboat Pemex Maya, for their heroic rescue of six castaways from four different vessels during a hurricane.
Captain Avhilash Rawat and the Crew of the Marlin Luanda
On the evening of January 26, 2024, the Marlin Luanda was en route from Suez to Incheon, carrying 84,147 tons of naphtha, when it was hit by an Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile. The explosion set a cargo tank ablaze, creating significant fire hazards with flames exceeding five meters in height. Despite the severe damage, Captain Avhilash Rawat, swiftly organized firefighting efforts, ensuring the safety of the crew and maintaining the ship’s navigability amidst the chaos. The starboard lifeboat was destroyed, forcing the crew to assemble at the port lifeboat station, ready for potential evacuation. Despite the extreme danger and constant threat of further attacks, the crew battled the fire using fixed foam monitors and portable hoses. Their relentless efforts continued for four and a half hours until assistance arrived from the tanker Achilles, the French frigate FS Alsace, the American frigate USS Carney, and later the Indian warship INS Visakhapatnam. Professional firefighters from the Indian Navy eventually joined the effort, helping to extinguish the fire and seal a major hull breach. The Marlin Luanda was escorted to safety 24 hours after the missile strike.
Captain Jorge Fernando Galaviz Fuentes and the Crew of the Pemex Maya
The second commendation goes to Captain Jorge Fernando Galaviz Fuentes and the crew of the tugboat Pemex Maya. On October 25, 2023, Hurricane Otis, an unprecedented Category 5 storm, struck Mexico’s Pacific coast. As the storm rapidly intensified, the crew of the Pemex Maya, prepared by securing their vessel in Santa Lucia Bay but soon ventured out to assist those in distress. At the height of the hurricane, they rescued three individuals in life vests and another clinging to debris, performing complex maneuvers in the dark. An hour later, they saved two more castaways. Despite the survivors being in shock and suffering minor injuries, they were safely brought to Acapulco for medical care as the storm subsided. The actions of Captain Galaviz and his crew demonstrated exceptional courage, nautical skill, and determination in saving lives amidst extreme weather conditions and rough seas.
The IMO Council endorsed the jury’s decision to award Captain Rawat and his crew for their extraordinary courage, leadership, and determination, as well as the critical support from assisting naval forces, which were pivotal in ensuring the crew’s safety, saving the ship, and preventing a potential ecological disaster. Similarly, the Council recognized Captain Galaviz Fuentes and his crew for their timely and brave actions, ensuring the survival of six castaways at great personal risk.
