Mercy Ships: volunteer on board a hospital ship
Mercy Ships is an international charity that operates hospital ships and welcomes both medical and non-medical volunteers. Alongside surgeons and nurses, it also needs cooks, teachers, electricians, engineers, mechanics, technicians, administrators, maritime crew, hospitality staff, information technology specialists, and many other skilled volunteers.
General information
Mercy Ships has been operating since 1978 and works in partnership with African nations to provide free surgeries and other healthcare services, while also supporting training for local healthcare professionals. Today, the organisation serves with two hospital ships, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy.
What volunteers help with
Mercy Ships relies on a wide range of people to keep life and work on board running smoothly. Opportunities can include medical roles, nursing, technical and engineering work, maritime positions, hospitality, education, administration, logistics, communications, and many other support roles.
Volunteers around the world
According to Mercy Ships, more than 2,500 volunteers from over 60 nations serve each year. Because roles and staffing needs change over time, always check the official volunteer site for the latest openings and requirements.
Costs and practical notes
Important: on Mercy Ships’ official volunteer pages, volunteers are usually responsible for costs related to service such as medical visits before departure, vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis, flights for certain roles, and personal expenses.
Mercy Ships says it covers accommodation, meals, utilities, essential onboard services, and a comprehensive health and travel insurance policy for active volunteers during their service.
Scam warning: Mercy Ships states that it does not charge any fee as part of the interview or recruitment process. Apply only through the official Mercy Ships pages.
Official ship schedule
On the official volunteer schedule, the Global Mercy is listed in Sierra Leone for field service from August 2025 to June 2026, followed by annual maintenance in Spain from June to August 2026 and then field service in Ghana from September 2026.
The Africa Mercy is listed for annual maintenance in South Africa from January to April 2026, followed by field service in Madagascar from May to December 2026. Ship schedules can change, so always confirm the latest details on the official schedule page before making plans.
How to apply
Mercy Ships recommends applying as early as possible. On its official volunteer pages, it says applications should ideally be submitted 6 to 8 months in advance. For some roles, time periods, or family placements, additional time may be needed.
Apply via the official Mercy Ships page
You can also browse current roles here: View volunteer opportunities
Contact details 🔍📧
Please note: Mercy Ships regularly updates volunteer information, open roles, requirements, costs and ship schedules on its official platform. Please confirm all current conditions directly on the official Mercy Ships website before making any travel plans.
Official volunteer site: volunteer.mercyships.org
How to apply: Official application steps
Current ship schedules: View ship schedules
Recruitment scam notice: Read the official warning
Please use the official pages above to contact Mercy Ships directly. Do not send booking requests via Voluntouring.org comments.
Voluntouring reminder: Please confirm the latest details directly through the official Mercy Ships volunteer platform before you commit (role, service dates, costs, travel, medical requirements, vaccinations, insurance, ship location and onboard conditions). If anything is unclear, ask for it in writing.