The Aigaion-Pelagos: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The captain and crew of the 'Galaxy Leader' have earned a prestigious nomination for the International Maritime Organization's Exceptional Bravery at Sea award. Captain Lyubomir Chanev and his dedicated team faced significant hardship, being held captive by Houthi militants for over a year. Their nomination is part of a prominent list recognizing astonishing acts of bravery amidst the Red Sea crisis that unfolded throughout 2024. This courageous crew, hailing from Bulgaria, the Philippines, Ukraine, Mexico, and Romania, was finally released in January 2025, coinciding with a temporary de-escalation triggered by a Gaza peace initiative. Among other distinguished nominees is Captain Dimitrios Flouris from Greece, alongside his crew from the tug 'Aigaion Pelagos', who were instrumental in the critical operation to extract crude oil from the burning suezmax tanker 'Sounion'. The 'Sounion', which was under attack on August 21, 2024, while transporting Iraqi oil from Basrah, posed an imminent environmental threat after Houthi operatives set off explosives on board following the crew's evacuation. The oil was not safely retrieved until three months later. In another inspiring recognition, Captain Sharad Sinsunwal and his crew aboard the Indian warship INS 'Kolkata' are nominated for their heroic actions in rescuing survivors from the Houthi missile strike on the vessel 'True Confidence'. These sailors provided critical medical aid to injured crew members retrieved from the sea. Additionally, the 'Kolkata' executed a remarkable 40-hour operation to rescue 17 hostages from the hijacked ship 'Ruen', effectively forcing 35 Somali pirates to surrender in March 2024. The nominations will undergo careful evaluation by a panel led by IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez before being presented to judges. The announcement of the award winners is set for later this year, celebrating the remarkable bravery and resilience of seafarers during challenging times.