THE Scottish marine engineer heading work on the world’s biggest civilian hospital ship has revealed it has cleared its final sea trials.
The Global Mercy – the first vessel of its kind – will carry out life-changing surgeries on more than 150,000 people during its expected 50-year lifespan, charity Mercy Ships says.
It will go into service in sub-Saharan Africa next year, crewed by 641 volunteers from around the world.
Jim Paterson, the Glasgow-born marine executive consultant for Mercy Ships, is described as the “main brain” behind the 174-meter vessel, which has been built in China, with input from specialist operators from Finland and Sweden.
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At the heart of the ship, six purpose-designed hospital decks will boast operating theatres and hospital wards for 200 patients plus laboratory, general outpatient, ophthalmology and dental clinics.
The Global Mercy will also be equipped with “first-class training facilities” to allow Mercy Ships to “contribute to the sustainable support of essential surgical and related skills for local healthcare professionals when docked”.
Paterson, who has served for more than 33 years with the charity, says it’s now passed one of its “final milestones” after passing deep water trials designed to test its systems, speed and manoeuvrability.
Paterson, who studied marine engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: “These deep-water trials represent a critical checklist before delivery of our new purpose-built ship to become the platform for service it is designed to be.
“Trials systematically test operational aspects by putting the vessel through paces for a week at sea. I am pleased to say that the Global Mercy successfully passed every test. We are then left with some finishing touches in the interior, particularly the hospital area before we take delivery.”
Flagged in Malta, the ship will make its maiden voyage to Belgium for several months of final outfitting and crewing in Antwerp. The visit to Europe will culminate in a final send-off from Rotterdam for its first voyage to Africa. A commissioning event in Dakar is expected early next year as it begins field service in Senegal.
Construction started in 2015 and the craft has a gross tonnage of 37,000 and a service speed of 12 knots.
The Global Mercy will join the current Mercy Ship, Africa Mercy in service to sub-Saharan and Central Africa.
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