A 72-year-old lone French sailor was rescued by a Chinese cargo ship after his navigation system was destroyed in the Caribbean ocean, leaving him starving and close to death for days.

The 87,417-ton bulk cargo vessel with the name MV Winning Joy came to the rescue of Frenchman Bernard Couvet, who was aboard the SV.Kaflo yacht. When Couvet was found, It had been 19 days since his digital navigation system was destroyed and three days since he had eaten food and drank water.

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Couvet's yacht allegedly ran out of diesel oil leaving him with only wind power to maneuver. In the hope that rescue will soon come, he resorted to sending out Mayday distress calls to passing vessels.

MV Winning Joy, which is managed by the Qingdao Winning International Management Co., was returning to its port in Qingdao when the crew picked up a distress signal. They later found Couvet and his yacht and were able to get him to safety amid dangerous winds.

Ship captain Li Fubin said that the salvage operation was an experience he will be always proud of and remember forever. He noted that giving timely help to those in need is every Chinese man's duty and responsibility.

Recalling the rescue operation on Aug. 18, 2015, Li admitted that he was careful when he first received the signal from the high frequency radio, noting that the area is known for pirates. Li and his crew later contacted the boat back and confirmed that it was in distress.

The crew carried out the risky salvage operation despite the huge waves and strong winds.

According one of the sailors Song Zhisong, the first rope that was connected between the two ship immediately broke as it was difficult to control the speed. Then he claims that the ship master commanded the entire crew to help.

Again, they fired another line with a thicker cable and successfully tied the two vessels. Then everyone pulled the ship closer and lowered down a rope ladder.

Knowing that Couvet was extremely weak, Winning Joy's chief officer Gao Jiangqi donned a life jacket and climbed down from the 25-meter high cargo vessel into the yacht. According to Song, it was a life-and-death situation because if Gao Jiangqi fell off the water, it is unlikely for him to survive. Gao Jiangqi managed to reach the yacht and help Couvet safely to the Wunning Joy.

After the successful salvage operation, Li said Couvet was medically assessed by the medical team and was given some porridge, which can be easily digested. Then the chef also prepared some western meals like beef and pork steak, in case he is not used to eating Chinese food.

Li later on learned that Couver was a retired teacher and was sailing towards Saint Martin to pay a visit to his friend in Martinique. Relying on the electronic navigation system, he did not carry a paper chart. Unfortunately, his boat ran out of diesel and the wind condition was so bad that he was drifted towards the sea.

Unable to speak fluent English, Couvet reportedly kept on thanking the crew during their 3-day trip. The Chinese ship towed his yacht to the Dominican port and Couvet was picked up by the members of the French embassy.

To show their thanksgiving and appreciation, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Fort-de-France sent a letter to Li and his crew on Aug. 20. "Couvet paid tribute to every crewmember, saying he was extremely well-treated. Such act does confirm that solidarity is not a shallow word for all seafarer, in particular for those of M.V. Winning Joy,"  MRCC Fort-de-France duty officer O. Delteil wrote in the letter.

Tags Caribbean, ship salvage, MV Winning Joy