Arne Rinnan

Arne Frode Rinnan (born 10 November 1940) is a retired Norwegian sailor. He was the former captain of the MV Tampa, which in 2001 was refused access to Australia to disembark 433 rescued refugees in what became known as the Tampa affair. Rinnan and his crew were awarded the Nansen Refugee Award in 2002.

Early life Rinnan was born on 10 November 1940 in Oslo, Norway) to parents, Louise Mari "Lillemor" Devold and Frode Rinnan, who moved from Ålesund in 1939.

Career

Rinnan worked as the captain of the MV Tampa owned by Norwegian shipping line Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

Tampa Affair On 26 August 2001, the MV Tampa was on its way from Fremantle in Australia to Singapore, when the Australian Maritime Safety Authority requested the crew to go to the aid of The Palapa, a 25-meter vessel in distress that was transporting 433 refugees. Captain Rinnan directed his ship towards the nearest port, in Indonesia, but some refugees broke into the bridge and forced him to proceed to Christmas Island in Australian waters. Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet named Rinnan the 2001 Name of the Year.

In 2002, Rinnan his crew were awarded the Norwegian Medaljen for redningsdåd til sjøs [no]. (English Medal for Sea Rescue)