Overhaul of hospital ship’s main engine turbochargers allows more resources to be devoted to charitable healthcare
Mercy Ships, an international, faith-based organisation, operates two hospital ships, providing much-needed free healthcare services and surgeries to low-resource countries. Crewed by volunteer staff and healthcare professionals, the NGO’s two civilian-run hospital ships, Africa Mercy and Global Mercy, provide free medical care to the most vulnerable. Over the last three decades, it has almost exclusively partnered with African nations.
Keeping these ships float, maintained and operational can literally save lives. This has naturally led to corporate sponsorships with numerous maritime organisations looking to support Mercy Ship’s charitable mission.
Last year, Lloyd’s Register announced a three-year corporate partnership focusing on funding crew and safety training for officers with Mercy Ships. The class society supported the construction of Global Mercy, the first purpose-built civilian hospital ship.
One of the NGO’s latest corporate sponsors is Swiss turbocharger manufacturer Accelleron. When Africa Mercy was drydocked at DORMAC Shipyard in Durban, South Africa following its most recent deployment, the OEM reported its engineering team had supported a turbocharger overhaul on the 43-year-old hospital ship. Engineers serviced the ship’s four main engine VTR320 turbochargers.
Accelleron’s support will reduce the cost burden on a charity providing vital services to communities that need it most, especially in Africa. The vessel houses five operating rooms and a recovery ward for more than 80 patients.
The scheduled maintenance of the turbochargers ensures Africa Mercy’s main engines will operate efficiently. While in drydock at Astican shipyard in Las Palmas, Canary Islands in 2021, the 16,572-gt hospital ship underwent hull treatment, steel works tank coatings and pipe repairs as part of a life extension programme. Ship design and engineering consultancy BMT supported the life extension that will keep the ship operating until 2035.
“Keeping these ships afloat, maintained and operational can literally save lives”
The new corporate partnership with Mercy Ships is part of Accelleron’s extensive and growing portfolio of projects that aim to support people and communities in need. This year the Swiss manufacturer will contribute to around 15 community projects worldwide, with the aim of growing that number to more than 100 over the next two years.
Ciaran Holden, Mercy Ships director of operations, was pleased with the outcome of its new corporate partnership with Accelleron, noting the overhaul of the four propulsion engine turbochargers would ensure the organisation’s ability to deliver vital healthcare to patients in vulnerable communities for many years to come. “Mercy Ships has been fortunate to be well supported both in funding and in technical expertise by several maritime companies and we are delighted to have the backing of Accelleron as our latest corporate partner,” he said.
Roland Schwarz, Accelleron service division president, says the turbocharger company wants to be “a positive contributor to societies”. Adds Mr Schwarz: “Where we can use our expertise to do so, it is doubly rewarding. By contributing to the life extension of Africa Mercy, we can help Mercy Ships allocate less of its budget to maintenance and more to saving lives, helping them bring hope and healing to the communities that rely on their presence.”
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