Medals have found their heroes

On October 26, 2023, the President of the Russian Federation signed a decree awarding state awards to the Russian Federation, including employees of Oboronlogistics: for courageous and decisive actions in saving people in extreme conditions.

On December 20, 2023, in pursuance of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the General Director of Oboronlogistics LLC presented medals for saving lifes to the captain and senior mate of the captain of the ship Pizhma.

In June 2023, the captain of the Pizhma, while en route to the Aegean Sea, received a message from the Greek Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center about the need to provide assistance to a foreign small yacht-type vessel in distress nearby.

Pizhma urgently changed course and immediately began the transition to the shipwreck area. On approach, the crew observed red flares. The condition of the discovered yacht was critical. With a strong gale-force wind, she was thrown from side to side by a wave. The first attempts to approach the yacht failed. There was a danger of damage to the ship's structures by the yacht's mast. In the end, it managed to approach the yacht with the stern. The yacht was moored to the port side. The crew of the Pizhma lowered the ramp and began to receive people.

The rescue operation was carried out at night in difficult weather conditions: north wind up to 15 m/s, waves up to 3-4 m. Despite the emergency situation, the crew of the Pizhma, under the leadership of the captain and his senior assistant, acted promptly, competently, harmoniously and professionally.

The rescue operation was successful. 68 people were taken on board the Pizhma, where they received the necessary medical care. Then the victims were taken to the bay of Kalymnos Island and handed over to the Greek Coast Guard. And Pizhma returned to its course to fulfill its flight tasks.

The medal for the rescue of lifes is a state award of the Russian Federation, established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation on March 2, 1994, although it traces its history back to the time of the Russian Empire. The medal is awarded to heroes for saving people in extreme circumstances involving a risk to life: during natural disasters, on water, underground and when extinguishing fires.