Crowley Stena Immaculate mariners honored with Gallant Ship Award

Stena Immaculate crew members, along with union and Crowley leadership, standing side by side with Gallant Ship Award plaque L to R: Willie Barrere, President, American Maritime Officers; Dimeter Mitev, chief engineer, Crowley; Peter Skerys, second mate, Crowley; Thor Pearson, chief mate, Crowley; Ion Sterie, bosun, Crowley; James C. Fowler, executive vice president & division president, Shipping & Logistics, Crowley. [Photo: Crowley]

Crowley mariners aboard the U.S.-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate received the MARAD Gallant Ship Award on May 22, 2026, during National Maritime Day observances in Washington, D.C.

Established in 1944, the Gallant Ship Award recognizes ships and crews for outstanding bravery and seamanship during emergencies at sea. It is given in times of unique achievement, the last time in 2019.

The 23-member crew was recognized for its coordinated response to the March 10, 2025 North Sea incident in which the ship was struck by the containership Solong. The Crowley crew safely evacuated without serious injury and helped prevent greater vessel, cargo and environmental damage, ensuring fire monitors were active in order to provide boundary cooling water to the cargo tanks adjacent to those impacted by the strike.

At the time of the incident, the tanker was supporting U.S. government operations under charter to Military Sealift Command and operating in MARAD’s Tanker Security Program.

“This honor for the crew of the Stena Immaculate underscores the essential role that U.S. mariners play in safely sustaining supply chains and supporting national defense at home and abroad,” said James C. Fowler, executive vice president and division president, Shipping & Logistics at Crowley, who spoke at the May 22 event. “The bravery and immediate response of these 23 professional mariners saved lives and prevented catastrophic damage to the environment. Their extreme courage and professionalism embodied the highest ideals of U.S. maritime.”

At the time of the incident, the tanker was managed by Crowley through its joint venture with Stena Bulk AB. It was transporting jet fuel under charter to the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command and operating in MARAD’s Tanker Security Program.