I just posted an article about Mercy Ships:http://gcaptain.com/mercy-ships-vessel-hope-healing/?39995 and it sounds like a pretty amazing (and rewarding) program. If you’ve sailed with Mercy Ships, please share your experience here!
That is where I spent my teen years. My family was on their first ship the Anastasis (since scrapped) from '83-'88. It is where I first discovered Marine Engineering. She had twin Fiat, naturally aspirated, slow speed, 10 cyl. engines. No automation whatsoever, with 5 guys on watch in the E/R at sea and the Chief and 1st answering bells during maneuvering. I couldn’t wait for summer when I could spend all day working in the E/R and I learned some valuable engineering lessons at 14 that I still carry with me today.
Just watched a 60 Minutes special on Mercy Ships. I’ll be honest I’ve thought about checking them out before. I would be very curious to know what the experiences have been of people who have worked in the deck department there (from OS all the way up to captain).
In the early '90’s I was working in Cape Canaveral, FL on the USNS Hayes. We had a lot of older paint that we were never going to use and I brought it over to the Mercy Ship that had pulled in. I think it was the Anastasias but I don’t really remember. I would consider volunteering if they paid the travel.
Here’s a link to the full segment http://gcaptain.com/mercy-ships-featured-on-60-minute-full-segment/
[QUOTE=PaddyWest2012;99428]Just watched a 60 Minutes special on Mercy Ships. I’ll be honest I’ve thought about checking them out before. I would be very curious to know what the experiences have been of people who have worked in the deck department there (from OS all the way up to captain).[/QUOTE]