Indian Ship Captain Avhilash Rawat Receives Maritime Bravery Award in UK

London, Dec 3, 2024 – Captain Avhilash Rawat has been honored with the 2024 International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea for his remarkable courage during a Red Sea rescue mission earlier this year.

At a ceremony held at the IMO headquarters in London on Monday evening, Captain Rawat received the prestigious award on behalf of his crew aboard the oil tanker Marlin Luanda, who were recognized in July for their bravery. The crew’s efforts were praised for their "determination and endurance" while fighting a fire caused by an anti-ship ballistic missile strike on the vessel in January.

During the mission, Captain Rawat and his team coordinated firefighting and damage control efforts under extreme danger. Captain Brijesh Nambiar and the crew of the Indian Navy ship INS Visakhapatnam also received a "Letter of Commendation" for their vital support during the crisis.

In his acceptance speech, Captain Rawat expressed gratitude to his crew for their professionalism and courage. “Together, we overcame challenges that seemed insurmountable,” he said, thanking the Indian, French, and US Navies for their crucial assistance during the firefighting operations.

Addressing concerns over security in the Red Sea, an area targeted by Yemen’s Houthis, Captain Rawat described the situation as "tense" and urged that ships avoid the region. "My company has already stopped sending ships through the Red Sea after this incident," he stated.

He also encouraged young people to consider a career at sea, calling it a rewarding profession that builds confidence and offers the opportunity to experience different cultures and people.

Captain Rawat and his crew were nominated for the IMO award by the Marshall Islands following the January 26 incident, when the Marlin Luanda, carrying 84,147 tons of naphtha, was struck by an anti-ship ballistic missile. The explosion ignited a cargo tank, causing a fire hazard with flames exceeding five meters. Despite the danger, Captain Rawat and his crew fought the fire for four and a half hours before receiving help from the merchant tanker Achilles and military vessels from France, the United States, and India.

The situation was eventually brought under control with the help of professionally trained firefighters from the Indian Navy, who successfully extinguished the fire and sealed a hull breach. A day after the missile strike, the Marlin Luanda sailed to safety under naval escort.

The IMO Annual Honours are given to recognize exceptional acts of bravery at sea, rewarding individuals who risk their lives to save others or protect the marine environment.

Reference from:-https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-ship-captain-avhilash-rawat-receives-maritime-bravery-award-in-uk-7163714