Honoring Bravery at Sea: IMO Celebrates Maritime Heroes of 2024
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) presented its prestigious Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea to two extraordinary crews during the annual ceremony held in London on December 2, 2024. This event, following the inaugural day of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) session, celebrated the bravery of seamen who represent the indomitable spirit of mariners.
The Crew of M/V Marlin Luanda
The crew of the oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda, led by Captain Avhilash Rawat, received international acclaim for their extraordinary bravery in the face of fire. On January 26, 2024, their vessel, carrying 84,147 tons of highly flammable naphtha, was struck by an “uncrewed aerial device”. The resulting explosion ignited a cargo tank, unleashing an inferno with flames over five meters (about 16.4 feet) tall.
Captain Rawat and his team showed courage and technical expertise as they battled the fire for over 24 hours. Despite limited resources, the constant threat of further attacks, and a destroyed lifeboat, the crew coordinated firefighting efforts with fixed foam monitors and seawater. Their perseverance turned the tide when Indian Navy firefighters boarded the vessel and extinguished the flames, sealing a critical hull breach.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Captain Rawat expressed gratitude to his crew and their rescuers:
“Together, we overcame challenges that seemed insurmountable. To all seafarers, your courage inspires not only us, but everyone who relies on the sea for their livelihoods.”
The Crew of M/V Pemex Maya
Captain Jorge Fernando Galaviz Fuentes and the crew of the tugboat M/V Pemex Maya earned recognition for a daring rescue operation during Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm that ravaged Mexico’s Pacific coast in October 2023. Facing treacherous waves and winds exceeding 300 km/h, the crew saved six shipwrecked individuals from four different vessel..
In total darkness and while navigating amidst debris and stormy seas, the M/V Pemex Maya crew executed precision maneuvers to rescue survivors who were left clinging to life jackets and makeshift flotation devices.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Captain Galaviz Fuentes stated “In moments of uncertainty, our strength came not only from preparation, but from a shared commitment to safeguard lives, even at the risk of our own.”
Additional Honorees and Commendations
The ceremony also honored numerous maritime professionals and crews from around the world, including Captain Jerôme Noël Mougoula Saguiliba and Lieutenant Crépin Manfoumbi Mengara, whose efforts saved lives during the tragic capsizing of the M/V Esther Miracle ferry off Gabon’s coast.
Other remarkable acts of bravery included firefighting, daring rescues amid wildfires in Maui, and migrant rescue operations.
Inspiration for the Maritime World
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez aptly summarized the event:
“It is an honor to recognize the valiant efforts and dedication of these heroic individuals. Their bravery is an inspiration for us all.”
We at the Herd Law Firm are proud to fight for seamen, maritime workers and passengers in all types of personal injury and death claims. As maritime personal injury attorneys (and sailors ourselves!) located in northwest Houston, we never waver in our commitment to help these maritime workers, passengers, and their families when they are injured or mistreated.
12/6/2024
