*The Anastasis Mercy Ship I am on currently will retire mid May and the 6 year awaited completion of the new AFRICA MERCY, will join us in Liberia May 21st for transition!!!!29 March 2007 PRESS RELEASE
(Issued on behalf of Mercy Ships UK)
WORLD’S LARGEST CHARITY HOSPITAL SHIP TO SET SAIL NEXT MONTH
The world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, has successfully completed ‘sea trials’ enabling it to sail on its inaugural trip to Africa. The former Danish rail ferry, has been converted into a state-of-the-art hospital ship at a cost of over £30 million and will provide free healthcare and community development services to the poorest people of Africa. The ‘sea trials’ took place in the North Sea under the supervision of Bureau Veritas – an international marine certification organisation that tests systems on ships. All systems onboard were checked and the trials took approximately 24 hours led by the ship’s Captain and his technical crew. The Africa Mercy will return to Blyth for another four weeks where hospital supplies and materials will be loaded. The ship is now free to start final preparations for its first field service in Africa where more than 400 volunteer crew will provide free medical care, capacity building, relief aid and community development programmes to the people of war-torn Liberia.
The Africa Mercy is the fourth ship to be operated by the international charity, Mercy Ships, which has provided more than £350 million worth of services since its inception in 1978. Statistics include treating more than 200,000 people in village medical clinics; performing more than 26,000 surgeries and 162,000 dental treatments; and completing more than 800 construction, agriculture and water development projects.
Don Stephens, Founder of Mercy Ships, said: “Every ship has life savers, but this ship is a life saver in itself to thousands who wait for her arrival in Africa. Without this ship so many of the poorest of the poor face lives without hope. This huge white hospital ship docked in an African port is a strong symbol of hope.” Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director, Mercy Ships UK, said: “This is a momentous day for everyone involved in Mercy Ships. Hundreds of people have worked tirelessly on this project over the last several years and we owe each of them a huge debt. “Our focus is now to complete the loading of supplies and volunteer crew over the next few weeks in order that she can start service in Liberia.” All the crew on board the Africa Mercy will be volunteer professionals from around the world. Doctors, dentists, nurses, community developers, teachers, builders, cooks, seamen, engineers, and many others will donate their time and skills to the effort.
AFRICA MERCY – FACTS · Formerly ‘Droning Ingrid’ ·
16,572 tonnes ·
474 berths for crew ·
78 bed ward ·
6 operating theatres ·
X-ray room ·
CT scanner ·
Dental clinic ·
Pharmacy ·
School – up to 60 pupils ·
Length: 499 feet ·
Breadth: 78 feet
