Arne Rinnan

Arne Frode Rinnan ( born 1940 ) is known as the captain of the Tampa, a Norwegian cargo ship in the shipping company Wilh. Wilhelmsen. On August 21, 2001, this ship rescued 438 refugees, mainly from the Taliban - ruled Afghanistan, from a sinking fishing boat off Australia. The Australian Government first refused any help and tried to force the ship out of the 12 -mile limit in international waters. Rinnan has persevered with the refugees on his ship and forced the Australian government to back down.

On World Refugee Day 2002 Arne Rinnan and his team and its shipping company Wilhelm Wilhelmsen with the Nansen Medal from the UN refugee agency UNHCR for their courage and commitment in the spirit of international principles of the rescue of shipwrecked were awarded despite the threat of punishment by the Australian government.

Rinnan was with a number of other prizes awarded, among others, the Cross of Honour of the Norwegian king. He was awarded the title of "Captain of the Year 2001",

Arne Rinnan went end of 2001 retired. He lives with his family in Kongsberg.