The Global Mercy™
A Dream Becomes Reality
The Global Mercy™
A Dream Becomes Reality
Announcing the Global Mercy™
Double the Hope. Double the Healing.
Globally, 5 billion people lack access to safe surgical care. In response to this staggering statistic, Mercy Ships has provided free surgeries and medical care to people in need for over 40 years. Because more than 50% of the world’s population lives within 100 miles of a coast, our hospital ships are the best way to reach more people and make the greatest impact!
Our newest hospital ship, the Global Mercy, is the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, capable of more than doubling our current surgical and training capacity. Over her 50 year expected lifespan, more than 150,000 lives are estimated to be changed onboard through surgery alone!
With the help of countless volunteers, this medical marvel will more than double our capacity to deliver safe surgical care to people in need and provide medical training in the countries we serve. That means more lives saved and more lives transformed.
Powered by Love
“As a nurse onboard, I get to be a part of rebuilding broken hearts with love and laughter...
This is why I volunteer.“
Meggin Tallman, USA
Volunteer Ward Nurse
Our mission is fueled by the time, talent, and hearts of volunteers.
More than 1,300 volunteers from over 50 nations serve with us every year. And, with the introduction of the Global Mercy, the need for volunteers has doubled.
It takes a variety of skills to bring hope and healing. From medical personnel to IT technicians and teachers, everyone can find their place onboard!
Powered by Love
“As a nurse onboard, I get to be a part of rebuilding broken hearts with love and laughter...
This is why I volunteer.“
Meggin Tallman, USA
Volunteer Ward Nurse
Our mission is fueled by the time, talent, and hearts of volunteers.
More than 1,300 volunteers from over 50 nations serve with us every year. And, with the introduction of the Global Mercy, the need for volunteers has doubled.
It takes a variety of skills to bring hope and healing. From medical personnel to IT technicians and teachers, everyone can find their place onboard!
Building the World’s Largest Civilian Hospital Ship
A Question and Answer session with the man leading the Global Mercy to completion, furthering Mercy Ships' mission...
A New Ship: Announcing the Global Mercy™
The world’s largest civilian hospital ship designed to double the hope, double the healing. The dream was born long...
Doubling Hope
What happens when you take a hospital ship crewed by volunteer professionals dedicated to bringing safe surgical...
So many of our patients struggle to realize their dreams and hopes because of burdens such as bent limbs, painful tumors, disabling blindness and more. In places where surgical care is widely unavailable, simple conditions can morph into burdensome and sometimes life-threating ailments, but thanks to friends like you, there is hope.
Through the support of our volunteers, friends, and corporate partners, our hospital ships provide free surgical care to those in need.
We all know what shame is — what pain feels like. But compassion and mercy connect us as people. Thank you for joining us in our mission of hope and healing.
Learn About the Global Mercy
Hover over the ship to learn about the layout of the Global Mercy!
The Global Mercy creation included: detailed design work, construction of the hull, outfitting the decks/hospital, testing, and installation of additional medical equipment and general supplies.
Our Newest Hospital Ship
The vision to transform lives by bringing hope and healing has guided Mercy Ships since the beginning. With each ship, lives are transformed in the nations we serve. But the need is ongoing.
The Global Mercy hospital deck will be ready to carry out a wide range of surgeries like maxillofacial and plastic-reconstructive surgery to address tumor removal and debilitating burn contractures, cleft lip and palate repair, orthopedics, cataract removal, and obstetric fistula repair.
This expansion and growth will facilitate more — more surgeries for those in need; more health professionals trained and mentored; MORE LIVES CHANGED!
Stay tuned for future updates on the Global Mercy progress.
Facilities & Features
HOSPITAL
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The hospital covers most of decks 3 and 4 – approximately 7,000 square meters containing:
- supply services
- 6 operating theaters
- 102 acute care beds
- 7 ICU/isolation beds
- an additional 90 self-care beds
The hospital area includes dedicated classroom/ conference spaces as well as simulator labs for more effective training. All pre-operative and post-operative work can be done onboard rather than ashore, which minimizes the Mercy Ships footprint when operating in busy ports.
The new ship will more than double our annual medical capacity and is designed to carry out a wide range of surgeries including, but not limited to:
- maxillofacial & reconstructive surgery
- tumor removal
- cleft lip & palate repair
- plastics
- orthopedic surgery
- cataract removal
- obstetric fistula repair
ON-SHORE PROGRAMS
Bringing Care to Local Communities
In addition to the surgeries performed onboard, ship-based teams serve in local villages providing a wide array of services to increase health and well-being which includes:
- Dental clinics
- Medical clinics
- Community health education
- Construction and agricultural training
ACCOMMODATIONS
Transporting Our Most Precious Cargo
The Global Mercy will have meeting and work spaces with numerous design considerations based upon prior operating experience and crew feedback. The ship incorporates the latest comprehensive technology for crew safety and security and will provide accommodation for 641 people including crew and medical staff onboard. The ship services are designed to host up to 950 people when the hospital is working.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Safety and Security
- Automatic water mist system located throughout the accommodation and hospital areas
- Smoke detector system pinpoints any fire’s exact location
- 24-hour security guards, metal detector, and screening devices
- Closed-circuit TV monitors. Critical spaces locked 24/7
Ship Specifications
| Fleet Dates | Coming Soon |
| Registered | Malta |
| Crew Capacity | 641 |
| Main Engine | 4 x Wartsila 6L32 w/ 2 x ABB Azipul Pods |
| Draft | 6.1m |
| Length | 174m |
| Breadth | 28.6m |
| Gross Tonnage | 37,000 |
| Built | Tianjin Xingang Shipyard |
If you’re interested in serving with Mercy Ships, click below to view our volunteer opportunities.
We can’t wait to meet you!