A cargo vessel operated by a Pingtan-based shipping company has been praised by Egyptian authorities after rescuing 41 people from a sinking inflatable raft in the Mediterranean Sea.

In a recent letter to China MRCC (Beijing), the Joint Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (JMRCC) of Egypt commended the master, officers, and crew of the Hong Kong-flagged vessel M/V XIN HAI TONG 801—a vessel belonging to Fujian Haitong Development Co., Ltd.—for their exceptional bravery, professionalism, and humanitarian spirit during the operation.

According to the Egyptian rescue authority, an inflatable life raft carrying 41 people sent a distress call at 7:50 p.m. local time on June 8. The raft had drifted for nearly five days with little food or water and was taking on seawater, placing everyone aboard in grave danger.

The M/V XIN HAI TONG 801, sailing nearby, received the rescue request from Egyptian authorities, altered course, and steamed to the scene.

"As we approached the reported position, we spotted a white light, which appeared to mark the location of the survivors," said captain Xu Jinquan. "I carefully maneuvered the vessel closer, and the crew worked together to bring them aboard one by one."

By 1:30 a.m. local time on June 9, all 41 people were safely rescued. Survivors, many of them visibly emotional, repeatedly embraced crew members to express their gratitude. The ship also provided medical assistance, food, water, and other essential supplies. On June 10, the rescued individuals were safely transferred to Egyptian authorities at the port of Port Said.

In its letter, the Joint Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (JMRCC) of Egypt said the operation reflected the highest traditions of the merchant marine and adherence to international maritime regulations. It also praised the vessel's owner, Fujian Haitong Development Co., Ltd., for placing lifesaving responsibilities above commercial considerations.

Fujian Haitong Development Co., Ltd. is a publicly listed shipping enterprise based in Pingtan, an island county in Fujian Province that sits in the Taiwan Straits.

"I only felt relieved after captain Xu told us all 41 survivors had safely disembarked," said Lin Jingchao, a marine superintendent captain with the company. "For seafarers, putting rescue at sea ahead of commercial interests is a long-standing tradition and a shared belief among Chinese mariners."