Captain plots charity mercy dash

Posted by Mercy Ships staff on Sep 23, 2011 at 11:54 am

Editor's Note: The following article was written by Damian Bathersby and printed by the Sunshine Coast Daily in Australia. Reposted with permission.

MIKE Hughes may have saltwater in his veins, but it is the plight of Third World countries that fills his heart.

The Mooloolaba captain has spent a lifetime at sea, but says it feels like it was all preparing him for one thing – working with the Mercy Ships charity, skippering its boats in foreign ports.

The Welshman, known affectionately as Captain Mike, is just home from a four-week stint as relieving master of the world's largest charity hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, docked in the Sierra Leone capital Freetown.

It was his fourth tour of duty for Mercy Ships since 2004, the longest taking him away from home for six months.

The global charity with an office on the Sunshine Coast has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978.

The focus is on the world's poorest nations in West Africa, where the Africa Mercy provides the platform for services extending up to 10 months at a time. Teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean.

As relieving skipper, Captain Mike was responsible for more than 400 volunteer crew.

“As the ship's master, you are ultimately responsible for the safety of the people and safety of the ship,” he said. “But with everybody doing their job, it was the easiest job in the world ... the easiest but also the most rewarding.

“Everybody knows what their job is and they do it willingly – from the boy who looks after the pantry to the main surgeon.

“What is done by all of the volunteers working on a range of health and community development programs has a lasting effect on those who serve and those who are served.”

Captain Mike went to sea for the first time at the age of 16, working as a mess boy on ships in the UK.

Over the years he has worked on rail ferries in New Zealand, sailed square-rigged sailing ships, served as dock master and harbour master, worked on ships around Australia and taught marine studies to tuna boat operators on the Sunshine Coast.

He has served in several capacities with Mercy Ships.

Now in his 70s, he said volunteering was “the best decision I have ever made”.

“There is such poverty in the nations of West Africa and a lack of health services,” he said.

“Without a doubt I feel I am now at the peak of my maritime career of more than 50 years, being able to use all of the skills and knowledge I have learned in the past.

“Every member of the crew is equal, from captain to deckhand. Each crew member sees his or her work as important.

“There is only one aim and that is to serve those who are in need.

“It is all very humbling.

“It is a thrill to see patients come on to the ship, being admitted, treated and then return home healed and changed.

“For the volunteers the experience of working with Mercy Ships is also life changing, recognising their part in bringing faith, hope and healing to people living in countries considered to be the poorest of the poor.”

He admits returning to Mooloolaba can be something of an anti-climax, although he loves spending time with his three grown children and their families.

And the call of the sea is never far away.

“If they require me, I would go back,” he said. “They know that they only have to call and I'll be there.” For information on Mercy Ships, www.mercyships.org.au.

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