Applying from Canada?
Your Skills.
Their Lives.
Canadian professionals volunteer aboard hospital ships transforming lives in Africa. Some go for two weeks. Some stay for years.
Canadian Volunteers
Heather Hannon
OR Nurse
Fredericton, NB
Dan Croutch and Family
Operations Director
Waterloo, ON
Hannah Ostermeier
Hope Center Manager
Calgary, AB
David and Elaine Sigalet
Chief Medical Officer
Calgary AB
Danica Massey
Senior Pharmacist
Kamloops, BC
Chantal Doddridge
Wound Care Team Nurse
Longueil, QC
Brittany Lassel
Medical Lab Technician
Kitchener, ON
Two hospital ships. Hundreds of skilled professionals. A year-round mission.
Almost everything on board is done by volunteers. Surgeons, nurses, captains, plumbers, IT professionals — individuals who give weeks, months, or years. We're looking for people with the qualifications and the drive to do something extraordinary - and to be extraordinarily changed in the process.
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120+
Canadian professionals serve each year
2 weeks to 2 years
Commitment from short-term to multi-year
Current Availability
We’re looking for people like you.
Every role on board exists because someone's skills can change someone else's life. Here's where yours might fit.
Healthcare Professionals
“Your skills change outcomes on board.”
Your clinical skills will be used in ways you've never experienced. From operating rooms to training local practitioners, healthcare volunteers are at the heart of our mission.
Roles include
- Surgeons & OR teams
- OR / PACU Nurses, Anesthesia Providers
- Pharmacists, Medical Lab & Radiology Technicians
- Hospital Directors, CMOs, OR Managers
- Clinical Supervisors & Educators
Minimum 2 years clinical experience. Leadership roles require 1–2 year commitment.
Marine, Trades & Technical
“Without you, we don't leave port.”
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Captains, Chief Engineers
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Deck & Engineering Officers
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Mechanics, Plumbers, Carpenters
- IT Professionals and Electricians
Marine training (STCW) is required for a majority of technical roles.
Leadership & Operations
“Your experience keeps us moving forward.”
- Finance, HR & Senior Directors
- Communication and IT Managers
- Hotel and Food Services Management
- Global Health Educators
1–2 year commitment. Cross-cultural experience an asset.
Our hospital ships require about 2,500 volunteers per year to provide surgical services in port. Not sure if your qualifications fit? That's exactly what our Canadian team is here to help you figure out.
Every career has seasons
Where are you in your career?
Life on the ship
Discover what it’s like to be onboard
Real questions, honest answers — before you commit.
Where you’ll be
Sub-Saharan Africa. Each country brings its own culture, food, and landscape. Weekends are yours to explore.
Your cabin
Shared quarters, bunk beds, Wi-Fi, A/C. Cozy, not luxurious. Couples and families have private cabins.
Community
350–600 volunteers from 70 countries, living and working together toward a shared mission.
Shared Values
Shared values shape daily life on board — compassion, service, and for many, faith. It’s a community that takes care of each other.
Amenities
Gym, cafeteria and dining room, café, shop, library, pool, onboard clinic, bank. The ships are small floating cities.
Families welcome
Long-term roles accommodate families. Accredited on-board school, family cabins, and a kids' community.
Applying from Canada?
Here’s how we can help.
Canadians in your corner
Parlez-vous français?
French speakers are in high demand on board—especially when we are serving in French‑speaking countries. While the application process and working language on the ship are English, we offer bilingual support to guide you every step of the way.
You won't do this alone
Building a base of support is part of the journey. Volunteers often invite friends, family, colleagues, community service clubs, and churches to be part of a team that stands alongside them and shares in the impact. We are here to help.
Yara Sayegh
Alberta
Catherine Tremblay
Quebec
Chris Attwater
British Columbia
Mercy Ships ALumni
Have you served with Mercy Ships before?
Alumni are the backbone of our ships — ensuring a strong, experienced team ready to sail successfully. In order to operate safely, 60% of the staffing plan need to be filled by Alumni. Your path back looks different from a new applicant’s.
Ready to get started?
Tell our Canadian team a little about yourself and your background. They'll be in touch to help you figure out if this is the right fit — no obligation.
What happens next?
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Why You are Needed
Each year as many as 1,550 volunteers from 60 nations serve on board our fleet doing humanitarian work.
We are here to help you in your volunteer journey!
1-866-900-7447 (toll free)