Ian Lawrence's service with Mercy Ships

In July 2024 I will leave the port of Southampton behind for a year and embark as a volunteer crew member on the Global Mercy, a hospital ship serving in West Africa with the charity Mercy Ships.

Mercy Ships will be familiar to many in the maritime community - I first read about their work in the Numast Telegraph over two decades ago - they operate the world's largest civilian hospital ships and deploy to parts of the world with the lowest levels of access to healthcare. The goal is not just performing life changing surgeries, but to train local medics and develop long lasting medical capacity in the host countries.

A snapshot of Mercy Ship's work...

To keep the Global Mercy running requires a crew of over 600 volunteer mariners, medics and support staff - and their families, who are integral to the onboard community. Volunteer deck and engine officers are essential as the ship must be manned to the Flag State's minimum requirement at all times. I'll be dusting off my Certificate of Competency to serve as the ship's Chief Officer - keeping a bridge watch when the ship's at sea and overseeing the deck department's many & varied operations in port. The chance to get involved with this work is a once in a lifetime experience and one that I am hugely excited about.

All Mercy Ships crew are volunteers who cover their own costs - I'll be on unpaid sabbatical for the year, giving my time and service for free. Therefore your help with any donation that you can make, no matter the amount, will be immensely appreciated and will go directly towards supporting my service.

Thank you!