Mercy Ships is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that operates the largest non-governmental hospital fleet of vessels in the world. The charity delivers free and life-saving healthcare to people in regions where resources and medical care are scarce.
Each year, Mercy Ships aims to provide more than 5,800 surgical procedures, 18,000 dental procedures and trains 3,400 professionals in their area of expertise on its vessels. Connectivity is critical for these vital medical procedures and training, as it enables Mercy Ships to transfer data to and from the ships, connect with doctors, surgeons, and nurses for consultations, and facilitate their applications.
Connectivity at sea
Reliable satellite connectivity sits at the heart of Mercy Ships’ operations – through connectivity, remotely located healthcare professionals working at Mercy Ships can treat patients more effectively.
SES has been working with Mercy Ships since 2021, enabling daily medical operations, training, and remote diagnostics for the charity to provide free and essential healthcare to people in need via the Global Mercy and the Africa Mercy vessels. Moreover, the connectivity has provided vastly improved diagnostics and treatment onboard for its patients; specialist pathologists sitting miles away can help diagnose complex, life-threatening, or deadly conditions onboard the vessel through remote viewing for a compact digital scope and with a CT scanner.
Connectivity is also essential to ensure other tasks run smoothly, like operating the vessel, running diagnostics, executing administrative tasks, managing supply and operations, and keeping 900 crew members connected with their families and loved ones to boost team morale and allow them to stay on board for extended periods.
Upgrading operations
Recently, the Africa Mercy docked in Durban to undergo extensive repairs and maintenance to prolong its service life.
“We believe every life deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of geographical location. The ‘Africa Mercy refit project’ is a testament to our unwavering commitment to extending the reach of our medical services and positively impacting the lives of thousands. Through this project, we are not only upgrading a ship; we are opening doors to hope, healing, and a brighter future for those in need,” said Brenda van Straten, director, Mercy Ships, South Africa. “The upgrade will also allow us to continue our program delivery, improving the working and living conditions of our dedicated volunteers, and optimize the ship’s operational efficiency and future maintenance costs. Durban was selected as the location for the ship’s infrastructure upgrade due to our successful collaboration with the DORMAC shipyard in the past.
The quality of their work, especially in the ship’s interior, a vital aspect of this project, has greatly impressed us. Additionally, Durban’s proximity to our next destination, Madagascar, played a pivotal role in our decision-making process.”
The project included modernising the galley, upgrading the elevator system, and remodelling several cabin spaces to enhance safety and functionality, creating an environment that fosters community and healing. A key highlight of the refurbishment was the IT upgrade, which will notably enhance the ship’s functionality and performance.
To ensure the success of the upgrade, Mercy Ships assembled a team of renowned contractors and vendors from around the world, including South African companies such as DORMAC, Bradgary, MLQ, MAN Energy Solutions, AEGIR-Marine, and Loewe-Marine.
Completed as of the start of 2024, the new platform enables seamless communication and coordination between the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy, while also supporting the provision of essential training for local doctors, fostering the development of in-country healthcare professionals.
“The Africa Mercy upgrades, resulting from meticulous planning by Mercy Ships’ technical teams in collaboration with DORMAC, MLQ, and Bradgary, involved several ship visits to ensure detailed designs were completed. The one-month drydocking, complying with Classification Society rules, saw numerous upgrades,” said Chris Sparg, managing director, DORMAC Marine & Engineering. “Working with Mercy Ships’ experienced technical professionals was a pleasure as they deeply understand the ship and organizational needs. Our teams are proud to support Mercy Ships, positively affecting lives in Africa.”
Waveguide Communications Inc. (WGC) completely overhauled the CAT6 cabling, replacing it with CAT7 cabling throughout vessel for the Africa Mercy’s WiFi, CCTV, phones, main data centre, and backup data centre. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Brandfin Trade spearheaded the installation of 116 CCTV cameras throughout vessel.
The phone system, however, faced a notably impressive upgrade, effectively resolving the connectivity and communication issues previously endured by the ship’s crew. Prior to the project, the Africa Mercy had Toshiba phones, of which only about 24 were VoIP capable (the remainder being digital). Today, the new Cisco Phone system – a total of 404 VoIP phones – will dramatically improve overall communication on the ship, enabling the swift and efficient exchange of important information and messaging. Indeed, the transition to a VoIP capable phone system includes flexibility for future-use/ integration capability/compatibility, advanced features, improved connectivity, remote management, and environmental sustainability. The AFM phone upgrade solution caters to all departments’ communication needs of modern maritime operations, ensuring efficiency and reliability.
The Africa Mercy refit project was part of a broader five-year initiative. Upon completion of the refit, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy will significantly expand Mercy Ships’ capacity to provide life-changing surgeries. By utilizing these two ships, Mercy Ships aims to more than double its current reach and effectiveness in improving healthcare worldwide.
Interestingly, during the refit, with many core and critical services offline due to upgrades, satellite connectivity from SES enabled the crew to maintain critical communications and prepare for follow-on field service in Madagascar.
“It makes me incredibly proud that this partnership reflects the positive impact SES’s services have on the delivery of healthcare in regions of the world where medical services are not easily accessible nor affordable,” said Carlos Chang, sales manager, cruise, SES. “I am humbled to have played a role in supporting Mercy Ships over the past three years and in helping save and improve the lives of thousands of people yearly.”
