I wanted to introduce myself as the new Technical Volunteer Recruiter for Mercy Ships.
If you don’t know who Mercy Ships is, its a great organization offering free health care and surgery around the world. You can see the website here: http://www.mercyships.org/
We are always looking for skilled mariners willing to give up some of their time to selflessly aid those who are hurting around the world. The M/V Africa is currently in Madagascar and will be there for the next few months.
If you might be interested in hearing some more info on our volunteer opportunities, give me a shout here or via email! jared.chacon@mercyships.org
[QUOTE=c.captain;168439]does your volunteer crew have to pay towards the grub?[/QUOTE]
I think this is what they mean when they mention crew fees.
I think it’s a little much to ask a skilled mariner to sign up for a 2 year commitment and then expect them to pay there own way. I guess it works for them though as they do seem to be able to move the ships around when they need to.
Probably a good gig for a guy who’s retired but not ready to sit in the recliner all day watching TV.
[QUOTE=c.captain;168439]does your volunteer crew have to pay towards the grub?[/QUOTE]
Yes, we do ask that all volunteers, from marine staff to medical staff, pay for their transportation to and from the vessel as well as crew fees (room and board) and any personal expenses. Crew fees depend on length of commitment as well as what nation the volunteer is coming from.
[QUOTE=MercyShipsJared;168463]Yes, we do ask that all volunteers, from marine staff to medical staff, pay for their transportation to and from the vessel as well as crew fees (room and board) and any personal expenses. Crew fees depend on length of commitment as well as what nation the volunteer is coming from.[/QUOTE]
Ok. What are the crew fees for American mariners?
What about US taxes? Generally speaking, donations of time do not qualify for US tax deductions. Nor can a mariner income average work years with years spent donating time.
I believe donations of time qualify if you get a letter from the organization saying that if not for the volunteer they would have otherwise had to pay someone so much money to do the work that the individual in question did for a given amount of time.
[QUOTE=PaddyWest2012;168479]I believe donations of time qualify if you get a letter from the organization saying that if not for the volunteer they would have otherwise had to pay someone so much money to do the work that the individual in question did for a given amount of time.[/QUOTE]
I have good reason to have doubts about that. let’s see what Mercy Ships claims that they can offer for help with taxes.
If you’re volunteering for that tax year you’re not gonna have earned income for that tax year though. Unless you have rental incomes or something else on the side. I think the Marine Staff on mercy ships should be paid. I understand medical staff being purely voluntary but I think even MSF pays medical staff a (small) living stipend when you volunteer for them.
Not to be a complete downer here, but to be perfectly honest, I think its’ a giant waste of time and resources. So, this 2/m decides to pay his own way including paying for food (seriously?) for a 2 year commitment on board. Then he gets out his calculator, and starts doing the math… Let’s just assume his time is worth at least $500/day +room and board… For two years that $365k. Assuming in real life, he or she could only work half the time, it’s $182,500 for two years work, no room and board, and there is some potential further benefit from paying into social security and maybe a pension contribution if they’re really lucky.
So, go work 2 years at a real job, stay current with actual industry goings on, and write your favorite (preferably local, well vetted) charity a check for $182,500.
[QUOTE=tugsailor;168478]Ok. What are the crew fees for American mariners?
What about US taxes? Generally speaking, donations of time do not qualify for US tax deductions. Nor can a mariner income average work years with years spent donating time.[/QUOTE]
Tug,
Sorry about the delay in response.
Most of the folks who volunteer raise monetary support from friends, family and their church. Any money processed by Mercy Ships to support a volunteer is qualified for US tax deductions. You can read more about crew fees, tax info and other money questions here: http://volunteer.mercyships.org/volunteer/accepted-crew/crew-fees/
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[QUOTE=mhnydn;168532]So, this 2/m decides to pay his own way including paying for food (seriously?) for a 2 year commitment on board. [/QUOTE]
Mhnydn,
Although the we prefer a 2 year commitment, this helps with keeping our vessel staffed as far out into the future as possible, for mariners we will accept commitments as short as 3 months. I know it seems a bit radical to ask volunteers to pay their own food and room but as we see it, any dollar not used towards staff and crew is a dollar to be put towards helping those in need.
I will admit, this type of work is not for everyone, and thats okay. Being a faith driven organization, we find that volunteers who share our beliefs are very willing to set aside their time and money to help where needed.
A lot of folks do serve for the purpose of getting time. If you’d like, you can shoot me an email and we can speak about more details or any other questions you have. Jared.Chacon@mercyships.org
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In some cases, yes, we can offer short term positions (3 months). It all depends on how immediate the need is and other similar factors.
What about cooks. You surely need excellent cook aboard. I am that cook. Fly me there and I’m good fir a year as long as there is some shore leave. The gulf has died and I’m set money wise so lets do this.
I went as Chief Officer to Ghana on the old Anastasis in 2006 and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I only did 30 days and I encourage anyone to do it. You don’t have to make a super long commitment but both the need and the rewards are great. I am planning to go again someday. Whether you go as an Officer or a Deckhand does not really matter. The going is the important part.
[QUOTE=dacook;168916]What about cooks. You surely need excellent cook aboard. I am that cook. Fly me there and I’m good fir a year as long as there is some shore leave. The gulf has died and I’m set money wise so lets do this.[/QUOTE]
Dacook,
We always need good cooks. People gotta eat! Shoot me and email and we can talk a bit more about the details, etc. jared.chacon@mercyships.org