Captain Avhilash Rawat and his crew from the oil tanker Marlin Luanda have been recognized for their exceptional bravery. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) awarded them for their courageous actions during a dangerous rescue mission in the Red Sea.
On January 26, 2024, the Marlin Luanda was traveling from Suez to Incheon with 84,147 tonnes of naphtha when disaster struck. The vessel was hit by an anti-ship missile fired by Houthi rebels, causing a massive explosion that ignited one of the cargo tanks. The resulting fire was intense, with flames reaching over 5 meters high.
The IMO 2024 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea to go Captain and crew of the oil tanker Marlin Luanda; and the Captain and crew of the tugboat Pemex Maya. Full story: https://t.co/hkHQXILzlM pic.twitter.com/EHnvdpva84
— International Maritime Organization (@IMOHQ) July 10, 2024
Despite the chaos and severe damage, Captain Rawat quickly organized firefighting efforts. He ensured the safety of his crew and kept the ship navigable. The starboard lifeboat was destroyed in the attack, so the crew gathered at the port lifeboat station, ready to evacuate if necessary.
Fire onboard MV #MarlinLuanda brought under control
Based on request from Master of the MV, the fire fighting team from #INSVisakhapatnam comprising 10 Indian Naval personnel with specialist fire fighting equipment embarked the vessel in early hours of #27Jan 24.
After six… https://t.co/d5yxgWI42Y pic.twitter.com/RsLPKOpXTU— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 27, 2024
Even with the constant threat of further attacks, Captain Rawat and his crew fought the fire with determination. They used fixed foam monitors and portable hoses to combat the flames. When their foam supplies ran out, they used seawater to try and contain the fire, which continued to spread, especially to an adjacent tank.
After four and a half hours of battling the fire on their own, help arrived. The merchant tanker Achilles, the French frigate FS Alsace, and the United States frigate USS Carney provided additional firefighting foam and support. Later, the Indian warship INS Visakhapatnam also arrived to assist.
Despite all efforts, the fire reignited multiple times. The situation was critical, and experts suggested abandoning the vessel. However, Captain Rawat and his crew refused to give up. The turning point came when trained firefighters from the Indian Navy boarded the ship. With better equipment, they got closer to the fire and, alongside the Marlin Luanda crew, finally managed to extinguish it and seal a significant hull breach.
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Twenty-four hours after the missile strike, the Marlin Luanda, escorted by naval ships, sailed to safety. Captain Rawat and his crew’s bravery and persistence had saved the vessel and its cargo.
Captain Rawat and his crew were nominated for the IMO award by the Marshall Islands. In addition, Captain Brijesh Nambiar and the crew of the INS Visakhapatnam received a Letter of Commendation for their support. The awards will be presented at the annual ceremony at the IMO Headquarters in London on December 2.
This recognition highlights the incredible courage and determination of Captain Rawat and his crew in the face of extreme danger. Their actions are a testament to the bravery and skill required in maritime operations.
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