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Mercy Ships News

16 Oct 2023

Insights: Blaine Dempke, CEO, Markey

Blaine Dempke, CEO, Markey (Photo: Markey)

Established in 1907 as the Industrial Revolution arrived to Seattle, Markey is the oldest privately-held winch manufacturer in the United States today. The company was formed in the Georgetown District of what later became known as King County, Wash. The Markey sign above its original manufacturing plant, on Horton Street, is still retained, although Markey has since moved to its current facility on 8th Avenue South.Markey was a major supplier to the U.S. Navy in both world wars…

22 Jun 2022

BMT Delivers Life Extension Program for Hospital Vessel ‘MV Africa Mercy’

BMT was appointed to support Mercy Ships with a life extension program to extend the operational life of the Hospital ship MV Africa Mercy.Following the successful completion of the initial extension program, the vessel is now operational ahead of the next stage of upgrades that will deliver further improvements and allow the vessel to operate until 2035.Described as an essential lifeline for communities in Africa in need of medical facilities, MV Africa Mercy hosts state-of-the-art hospital facilities including five operating theatres…

20 Sep 2021

Ship of the Month: Mercy Ships and the Quest to Build Global Mercy

Global Mercy is diesel electric (4 x Wärtsilä 6L32s, just under 3MW).  Designed by DeltaMarin in Finland, the ship uses ABB pods for propulsion for a 12-knot service speed. Photo courtesy Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships is known globally for its charitable work performing medical procedures in developing countries. For the first time, the organization has a new ship, Global Mercy, recently delivered from a shipyard in China. Jim Paterson, Marine Executive Consultant, Mercy Ships takes Maritime Reporter & Engineering News inside the construction of the world’s largest civilian hospital ship.Jim Paterson already had a career and Chief Engineer’s Certificate when he joined Mercy Ships nearly 34 years ago, in search of a life change to make a difference.

01 Sep 2021

VIDEO: Global Mercy enroute to Antwerp for Equipping, Crewing

Global Mercy completed its journey through the Suez Canal, headed to the Port of Antwerp, where it will be further equipped and crewed.  The Senegalese and Egyptian governments facilitated the passage of the Global Mercy through the Suez Canal, so that the ship could pass through free of charge. Photo courtesy Mercy Ships

Global Mercy, Mercy Ships' first newbuild and touted as the world's largest civilian hospital ship, completed its journey through the Suez Canal free of charge and is scheduled to dock in the Port of Antwerp in mid-September for further equipping.As the International Day of Charity (September 5, 2021) draws closer, Mercy Ships announced that the Global Mercy completed its journey through the Suez Canal and the ship is headed for a short courtesy visit in Malta. Global Mercy is the newest hospital ship of Mercy Ships…

22 Jul 2021

Global Mercy Joins Mercy Ships' Fleet and, with Volunteers, Delivers Hope in Africa

Mercy Ships announces the delivery of the Global Mercy — the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, built to more than double its capacity to deliver safe healthcare and medical training to Africa. (Photo courtesy Mercy Ships)

Each year, 16.9 million people die due to lack of access to surgical care, according to Lancet Global Surgery 2030 Report. A large percentage of these deaths occur in Africa’s developing nations, where the fragile healthcare systems simply cannot support the overwhelming need for safe surgical procedures.For more than 40 years, Mercy Ships has been on a mission to change that. Through the support of faithful volunteers and partners from around the world, Mercy Ships provides access to safe surgery and delivers medical training through the platform of hospital ships.

29 Jun 2021

ABB Azipods Propel World's Largest Civilian Hospital Ship

(Photo: Stena RoRo)

ABB’s Azipod propulsion will help Global Mercy enter less accessible harbors off the African coast, while reducing vibrations and noise – crucial to the comfort of up to 200 patients and medical personnel on board.With about 5 billion people lacking access to surgical care globally, international charity Mercy Ships uses hospital vessels to provide surgeries and medical assistance for free to people who have little access to healthcare. The newest Mercy Ships vessel, the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship Global Mercy…

10 May 2021

Mercy Ships' New Hospital Ship Completes Sea Trials

Global Mercy (Photo: Mercy Ships)

Mercy Ships announced that its newly built hospital ship Global Mercy has completed sea trials leading up to delivery, equipping, maiden voyage and launch into service to sub-Saharan Africa in 2022.The first-of-its-kind 174-meter vessel, designed by Finnish naval architect Deltamarin and built at the Tianjin Xingang Shipyard in China, is the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship. It has a beam of 28.6 meters, with a design draft of 6.15 meters and gross tonnage of 37…

07 Apr 2021

VIKAND Hires Holmes as Director of Business Development

Russ Holmes (Photo: VIKAND Solutions)

Maritime medical operations and public health provider VIKAND Solutions, LLC said it has appointed Russ Holmes as director of business development.Perhaps best known for providing end-to-end medical solutions to the cruise industry for its guests and crew, the company said bringing Holmes onboard positions it to further extend its medical best practices and results to the global maritime industry, including commercial shipping, private islands, the gas and oil energy sector, and the yachting market.“To this newly created role at VIKAND…

16 Mar 2021

Charity Golf Event to Benefit Mercy Ships

© somchai / Adobe Stock

Core Group Resources is hosting a charity golf event in support of Mercy Ships' volunteer crew fund, on March 29, in Katy, Texas, west of the Houston Energy Corridor.The hosts are currently seeking additional teams, sponsors and donations to support the golf outing at the Falcon Point Golf Club, which will also include a barbecue, auction and raffles for golfers and non-golfers alike.Mercy Ships is an international charity operating the world's largest nongovernmental hospital…

07 Oct 2020

Wärtsilä Powers Mercy Ship's New Hospital Ship

(Photo: Mercy Ships)

Mercy Ships' new hospital ship Global Mercy, nearing completion at the Tianjin Xingang shipyard in China, will be powered by four Wärtsilä 32 engines.When completed, the philanthropic organization's Global Mercy will be the world’s largest vessel of its kind, providing essential healthcare to patients in developing countries. Mercy Ships expects to take delivery in 2021, and the ship’s maiden voyage is planned later in the year to Africa where crew will provide vital surgical care at no cost.Wärtsilä…

08 Oct 2020

Timelapse: World's Largest Civilian Hospital Ship Falling into Place

Global Mercy - Credit: Stena RORO

Construction of what has been described as the world's largest civilian/NGO hospital ship - the Global Mercy - is making progress and is nearing completion in China.Mercy Ships, an NGO which ordered the ship to deliver free healthcare services to those with little access in the developing world, and Stena RoRo, which leads the construction of the Global Mercy, on Tuesday shared a timelapse video of the construction along with the photos of the vessel in the shipyard in China."The Global Mercy will be a true modern marvel—a fully custom-built hospital ship with customized instruments…

14 Apr 2020

Stena RoPax Ferry to Become a Hospital Ship

Stena Saga (Photo: Stena Line)

Stena RoRo said it is preparing to convert an out-of-work vehicle and passenger ferry into a hospital ship to assist in response to the coronavirus pandemic.The large roll-on/roll-off passenger vessel Stena Saga previously sailed on Stena Line's Oslo–Fredrikshamn route from 1994 but has been idled since the service was permanently suspended in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak and travel restrictions imposed by several countries.Seeking an alternative use for the vessel, Stena…

26 Jul 2019

Interferry Charts a Course for Growth

Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan explains why the global trade association is poised to take its work to the next level.

Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan explains why the global trade association is poised to take its work to the next level.While I respect the mantra of cautious optimism, I can’t help feeling genuinely excited that 2019 could prove to be a milestone year in the continuing growth of Interferry’s influence as the global voice of the ferry industry. We’ve come a long way since our US origins in 1976 as what was essentially a networking movement, but developments in recent months already suggest we are on course for yet more enhancement of our present-day worldwide networking and lobbying relationships.

18 Feb 2018

Nor-Shipping Partners with ‘Lifesaver’ Mercy Ships

Leading maritime event week Nor-Shipping has announced that Mercy Ships has been selected as its new charity partner. The global organisation, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, will receive financial support and promotion throughout Nor-Shipping’s maritime and ocean industry network, supporting its vital work helping and healing those in need. Nor-Shipping 2019, taking place across a series of venues in Lillestrøm and Oslo between 04 – 07 June 2019, will help raise funds and awareness for Mercy Ship’s state-of-the-art Africa Mercy vessel. This, together with its three predecessors, has visited close to 600 ports since the charity formed, performing over 89,000 life saving operations and assisting more than 2.5 million people.

28 Sep 2017

Brunswick, Mercury Marine to Aid Mercy Ships

Africa Mercy (Photo: Mercy Ships)

When the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest private hospital ship, provides its next field service in Cameroon, Africa, it will do so with a new dive boat and several new Mercury Marine outboard engines for the ship’s dive and rescue operations thanks to a recent donation from Brunswick Corporation and its engine subsidiary, Mercury Marine. Mercy Ships is a global charity that offers free life-changing surgeries, holistic health care and specialized training for local health care professionals in some of the world’s poorest areas.

18 Jan 2017

Living Life Aboard a Floating Hospital

Caleb and chef Serge Nzembele in the galley of Africa Mercy, a floating hospital. (Photo courtesy of Caleb Biney)

The author, 14-year-old Caleb Biney, is one of 39 Kid Reporters in the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps. He reports “news for kids, by kids” from onboard Mercy Ships in Africa. My parents volunteer for Mercy Ships. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens of Lindale, Texas, the organization utilizes hospital ships to serve people in West Africa. Vessels provide clean water, electricity, and free surgical care to people living in poverty. I have lived on the Africa Mercy since I was six months old.

14 Sep 2016

MAN Extends Relationship with Mercy Ships

Photo: MAN Diesel & Turbo

At a signing ceremony at the SMM 2016 Marine Trade Fair in Hamburg, MAN Diesel & Turbo expanded its partnership with Mercy Ships, international provider of charitable healthcare. Under the terms of the agreement, MAN Diesel & Turbo’s after-sales division, MAN PrimeServ, will provide spare parts for the four MAN 21/31 GenSets and other MAN installations aboard the hospital vessel MV Africa Mercy to an annual value of EUR 250,000. Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Diesel & Turbo, said, “We are delighted to take our partnership with Mercy Ships to the next level…

21 Jul 2015

Evac's Total Waste Management for Atlantic Mercy

Atlantic Mercy (Photo: EVAC)

The global cleantech company Evac has been chosen to supply its total waste management system to the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, the Atlantic Mercy. Owned and operated by the nonprofit Mercy Ships, the ship will provide medical care in the poorest parts of Africa. The vessel is now being constructed by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation at the Tianjin Xingang Shipyard. The contract to supply the vessel was signed in May 2015 for delivery in 2016. Konstantin Tchetchine…

18 Jun 2015

Equipment Donation Solve Hospital Ship’s Heat Problem

Africa Mercy at sea (Photo: Mercy Ships)

When Mercy Ships decided to increase the airflow in the CAT scanner room on board its hospital ship, Africa Mercy, the international charity turned to Elta Fans’ Applied Technology division for help. The Africa Mercy operates in hot and humid climates in Africa making it challenging to keep the medical spaces cool, this is particularly difficult in the CAT scanner room. Adding to this problem, in 2013 Mercy Ships installed a new CT scanner which produces a lot more heat than the older model. To adequately remove the heat buildup and bring in cooled air, a more powerful fan was required.

27 Apr 2015

Hospital Ship Up to Speed with AMOS

Mercy Ships

SpecTec will work with Mercy Ships to migrate its current system Business Suite to AMOS Enterprise Management Suite (EMS). Mercy Ships’ Africa Mercy, the world’s largest hospital ship, will receive a new update of the latest version of AMOS EMS, installing the Quality Management module. This will be followed with the migration of its existing modules from the current system. At the end of the project, the Africa Mercy will be fully integrated with new and existing modules. “Mercy Ships has used AMOS for many years…

03 Mar 2015

Hospital Ship Brought up to Speed with AMOS

Africa Mercy (Photo: Mercy Ships)

SpecTec will work with long term partner Mercy Ships to migrate its current system Business Suite to AMOS Enterprise Management Suite (EMS). Mercy Ships’ Africa Mercy, the world’s largest hospital ship, will now receive a brand new update of the latest version of AMOS EMS installing the Quality Management module. This will then follow with the migration of its existing modules from the current system. At the end of the project, the Africa Mercy will be fully integrated with new and existing modules.

29 Oct 2014

Mercy Ships Founder Receives Service Award

Don Stephens was presented with a Daily Point of Light Award this week at a special Mercy Ships event in Houston, Texas.  Pictured (L to R) Neil Bush, Chairman, Points of Light, Don Stephens, President and Founder of Mercy Ships, Deyon Stephens, Co-founder of Mercy Ships, Paul B. Murphy, Jr., Event Chairman and CEO, President and Director of Cadence Bancorp, LLC. Photo credit:  alexandersportraits.com

Mercy Ships, a global charity based in Garden Valley, Texas, operates the world’s largest civilian hospital ship. Mercy Ships founder Don Stephens was recognized this week with the Daily Point of Light Award from Points of Light, a U.S. organization dedicated to volunteer service. The national award was presented at a special event held at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston. The event, “Advancing Hope and Healing in Africa,” featured President George W. Bush and Laura Bush.

18 Aug 2014

Ebola Outbreak Delays Mercy Ships Sail to Africa

Africa Mercy (Photo courtesy of Mercy Ships)

Collateral hardship from the Ebola epidemic now includes a delay for Mercy Ships, which operates the world’s largest civilian hospital ship in ports on the West Coast of Africa. Already with one canceled deployment to Guinea, where Ebola first broke out last December, the Mercy Ship now waits in the water with crew and staff, pending an end-of-August decision on field service in Benin. The Mercy Ship was due to sail for the port of Cotonou, Benin, for its 10-month field service…