Heroics at Sea: Captain Rawat and Crew Honored for Bravery

Captain Avhilash Rawat and his crew were honored with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2024 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. They demonstrated extraordinary courage in combating a fire caused by a missile strike on their vessel. Despite the extreme danger, their relentless efforts ensured the safety of the crew and the vessel's navigability.

In a dramatic turn of events, Captain Avhilash Rawat and his crew of an oil tanker have been named among the winners of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2024 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. Their extraordinary courage was spotlighted in a perilous Red Sea rescue mission.

The crisis began when their vessel, the Marlin Luanda, en route from Suez to Incheon, was struck by an anti-ship missile reportedly fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The explosion triggered a severe fire, turning the situation dire. Nonetheless, Captain Rawat's swift and decisive actions, including organizing firefighting and damage control efforts, helped control the chaos and ensured the safety of the crew.

Despite facing further threats, the crew's relentless efforts managed to contain the fire. The turning point came with the arrival of additional support from the Indian Navy and international vessels, ultimately leading to the successful extinguishing of the blaze and securing the vessel. This commendable act of bravery will be formally recognized in a ceremony in London.

(With inputs from agencies.)