Crew of MV Stena Immaculate honored with Gallant Ship citation after North Sea fire
May 23, 2026 | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Executive, Federal
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The Maritime Administration presented the Gallant Ship Unit Citation and individual Merchant Marine awards during the 2026 National Maritime Day observance at the Department of Transportation.
Administrator Stephen Carmel read the citation for the MV Stena Immaculate, describing a March 10, 2025 collision off the coast of Hull, United Kingdom, in which impact ruptured a cargo tank on the Stena Immaculate that contained about 17,000 barrels of jet fuel. The citation credited the vessel's captain and crew for quick, disciplined firefighting and boundary cooling that prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent cargo tanks and a potential catastrophic environmental disaster.
"Despite the sudden chaos, the Stena Immaculate crew responded with remarkable discipline and bravery," the citation stated, noting that alarms were raised, firefighting teams engaged, and critical systems were kept operational before the crew abandoned ship. The citation said all 23 mariners aboard evacuated and reached shore without serious injury.
James C. Fowler, Crowley's executive vice president and divisional president of shipping and logistics, accepted the award on behalf of Captain Thomas Leaf and the crew and praised their calm and training under pressure. "The crew who ... faced danger without hesitation and answered with courage," Fowler said while accepting the award.
Administrator Carmel and other officials named the ship's officers and crew being recognized, including Captain Thomas Leaf, Chief Mate Thor Pearson and others; the ceremony also included a posthumous Merchant Marine medal for Bosun John Pitts accepted by his daughter, Teresa Garcia.
The awards segment emphasized both the crew's emergency response and the broader need for sustained investment in training, ship capability and domestic maritime readiness. The ceremony was commemorative; no regulatory or enforcement actions were announced in relation to the incident during the program.
Administrator Stephen Carmel read the citation for the MV Stena Immaculate, describing a March 10, 2025 collision off the coast of Hull, United Kingdom, in which impact ruptured a cargo tank on the Stena Immaculate that contained about 17,000 barrels of jet fuel. The citation credited the vessel's captain and crew for quick, disciplined firefighting and boundary cooling that prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent cargo tanks and a potential catastrophic environmental disaster.
"Despite the sudden chaos, the Stena Immaculate crew responded with remarkable discipline and bravery," the citation stated, noting that alarms were raised, firefighting teams engaged, and critical systems were kept operational before the crew abandoned ship. The citation said all 23 mariners aboard evacuated and reached shore without serious injury.
James C. Fowler, Crowley's executive vice president and divisional president of shipping and logistics, accepted the award on behalf of Captain Thomas Leaf and the crew and praised their calm and training under pressure. "The crew who ... faced danger without hesitation and answered with courage," Fowler said while accepting the award.
Administrator Carmel and other officials named the ship's officers and crew being recognized, including Captain Thomas Leaf, Chief Mate Thor Pearson and others; the ceremony also included a posthumous Merchant Marine medal for Bosun John Pitts accepted by his daughter, Teresa Garcia.
The awards segment emphasized both the crew's emergency response and the broader need for sustained investment in training, ship capability and domestic maritime readiness. The ceremony was commemorative; no regulatory or enforcement actions were announced in relation to the incident during the program.
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