Located in the Taiwan Straits, Pingtan serves as an important maritime gateway connecting domestic and international shipping routes. Recently, a race against time unfolded there when a stranded cargo vessel and one of its crew members found themselves facing separate emergencies at sea and at home.

"Every minute that passed could have become a lifelong regret for him."

Those were the words of the captain of the Panama-flagged Bam Star in a letter thanking officials in Pingtan for helping an Indian crew member return home after learning that his mother had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was in critical condition.

The incident began on June 2, when the Bam Star was sailing from Kaohsiung to Zhenjiang. During the voyage, an engine failure disabled the vessel, forcing it to seek emergency repairs at Pingtan Port.

While the ship was undergoing maintenance, a crew member received devastating news from his family. His mother's condition had rapidly deteriorated, and he desperately needed to return home to be by her side.

After receiving the request, local authorities mobilized immediately to fast-track the necessary procedures. They completed temporary entry and stay documents—a process that normally takes several working days—in just two days. They also arranged biometric verification, identity checks, and baggage inspections as quickly as possible to minimize delays to the crew member's journey home.

The captain said the assistance left a lasting impression on the vessel's entire crew.

"You not only safeguard the nation's borders, but also demonstrate the greatest respect for human life in times of crisis," he wrote in the letter. "This kindness and sense of responsibility transcend nationality and duty, bringing a warm light to seafarers around the world."

The crew member has since completed all required formalities and safely departed for home.