Li Fubin, captain of the MV Winning Joy, receives a letter of gratitude from Jean-Raphael Peytregnet, consul general of the French Embassy to China. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Li Fubin, captain of a Chinese-operated cargo ship, received a letter of thanks from Jean-Raphael Peytregnet, consul general of the French Embassy to China on April 22 for his rescue of a French sailor in the Caribbean last year.

Li and his crew members rescued Bernard Couvet on Aug 18, 2015, 19 after the Frenchman's navigation equipment broke down and three days after his food and water had run out.

The 72-year-old solo French sailor was also without diesel fuel, and could only maneuver his boat by sail.

Li and his crew members were aboard the MV Winning Joy, an 87,417 ton bulk carrier, operated by Qingdao Winning International Management Co.

They heard Couvet's mayday call and rescued him and brought his yacht in tow in heavy seas and high winds.

They treated him and fed him until they turned him over to the French coast guard on August 20.

Jean-Raphael Peytregnet was grateful to Li and his crew members for their efforts to rescue his compatriot in his letter of thanks.

"Without your help, our compatriot may have not survived," he said.

"Though it is duty and responsibility to offer help to those in danger among sailors of all countries, your courage and morality set a good example and deserves high praise," he said.