Tafsir of Al-Haqqah 69:11

"Indeed, when the water transgressed": That is, exceeded its customary limit, to the extent that it rose fifteen cubits above the highest mountain, or it transgressed against its keepers, as you have heard just before this. This was due to the persistence of the people of Noah, peace be upon him, in various forms of disbelief and disobedience, and their exaggeration in calling him a liar regarding the rulings revealed to him, among which are the conditions of the Day of Resurrection.

"We carried you": That is, in the loins of your forefathers, or We carried your forefathers while you were in their loins, based on the assumption of an omitted term. It is also said that this is a metaphorical address to those present, intending their forefathers who were carried, based on the relationship of containment; however, this is far-fetched.

"In the sailing [vessel]": That is, in the ship of Noah, peace be upon him. The intent behind carrying them in it is their elevation above the water until the days of the flood had passed, not merely their lifting into the ship, as is indicated by the word "in." It is not a particle attached to the verb "carried," but rather it is connected to an omitted [state], acting as a description for its object. That is: We lifted you above the water and preserved you while you were in the ship sailing by Our command and protection. In this, there is an indication that the basis of their salvation was purely His protection, the Mighty and Majestic, and that the ship was merely a formal cause. The word "sailing" (jariyah) is frequently used for a ship, as in the saying: "Ninety sailing [vessels] in the belly of a sailing [vessel]."