IMO Award: Captain Avilash and his crew will be honored for extraordinary bravery, carried out the rescue mission

Captain Avilash Rawat and the crew members of an oil tanker will be awarded the 2024 International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award. This award will be given to them for showing extraordinary bravery during the rescue mission in the Red Sea.

Iran-backed Houthi terrorists attacked his ship 'Marlin Luanda' with an anti-ship missile in the Red Sea. During this time the ship caught fire. After this, Captain Rawat and his crew made efforts together to prevent firefighting and damage with strong determination and patience. For which he will be awarded this award.

Captain Brijesh Nambiar and the crew of the Indian Naval Ship INS Visakhapatnam will also be awarded a citation for supporting the oil tanker in times of crisis. It read, "On the evening of 26 January 2024, Marlin Luanda was carrying 84,147 tonnes of naphtha (flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture) and was on its way from Suez to Incheon. Then the ship was attacked by an anti-ship missile. After this, a cargo tank exploded and a fire broke out. Which created a danger as the flames spread to a distance of more than five meters.

Despite the ship's damage, Captain Avilash Rawat coordinated swift firefighting efforts while simultaneously ensuring the crew's safety. During this period, he also ensured the ship's navigability. After the starboard lifeboat was destroyed, the crew prepared and congregated at the port lifeboat station. Despite the hazard, Rawat and his crew used fixed foam monitors and portable hoses to keep the fire under control.

Captain Rawat and his crew mates will collect their award on December 2nd, at the 109th session of the Maritime Safety Committee in London. The annual event will be conducted at the IMO headquarters in London.