Seawork charity partner hopes to do itself out of a job
April 18, 2024By Seawork Press FP
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Mercy Ships
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Seawork is delighted to announce a new charity partnership with Mercy Ships.
Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 countries, providing services valued at more than £1.3 billion. By improving healthcare delivery in every country the charity visits, Mercy Ships is working to eradicate the diseases of poverty and effectively do itself out of a job.
Andrew Webster, CEO of Mercator Media - the organisers of Seawork, said, “At Seawork we are always looking for ways to support seafarers around the globe, so are delighted to have Mercy Ships as our charity partner. This international charity relies on skilled volunteers, with marine or medical training, in partnership with developing nations, to deliver accessible, free surgery and medical care for those in unjust poverty and urgent need. We hope that this partnership raises awareness of the amazing work that these hospital ships and their volunteer crew achieve.”
Currently, Mercy Ships operates two hospital ships. The Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy.
The Global Mercy is the largest charity-run hospital ship in the world. The 174-metre, 37,000-ton ship has six operating rooms and houses over 600 volunteers from around the globe representing many disciplines including surgeons, maritime crew, cooks, teachers, electricians, the host staff and more. The ship also features a 682-seat auditorium, student academy, café, shop and library – all of which have been designed to accommodate up to 950 crew onboard when docked in port.
The Africa Mercy contains five operating rooms, a four-bed recovery area, intensive care for up to five patients, and 80 ward beds. It houses about 400 volunteer crew members from up to 40 nations. Acquired in 1999 through a donation from the Balcraig Foundation, the former Danish rail ferry Dronning Ingrid was refurbished specifically for our mission and named the Africa Mercy in April 2000.
Each year, more than 3,000 volunteers from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest civilian hospital ships and only 50% of these are medics. Mercy Ships are currently urgently recruiting maritime officers, as well as engineers and hospital support services.
