With Marine, Trades and Operations Volunteers,
Our Ships Become Hospitals
Marine Deck, Marine Engineering, Logistics, Supply & Operations
Mercy Ships marine, trades and operations volunteers are enablers that help facilitate access to free healthcare in low-resource countries. Volunteer opportunities are available in the deck, engineering, logistics, supply, and operations departments. Skilled tradespeople help with the infrastructure delivery processes that support the medical and crew care we provide. Each part of our hospital ship and equipment receives preventive maintenance and repair. So, get on board if you are inspired by continuous learning, fresh challenges, and the opportunity to connect with an inclusive international team fulfilling an extraordinary mission. It is a shipboard experience like no other. Make your mark today by providing mechanical, plumbing, electrical and engineering solutions that make a difference.
Why You are Needed
Each year, marine, trades and operations volunteers from 60 nations serve on board our fleet doing humanitarian work.
Why You are Needed
Each year, marine, trades and operations volunteers from 60 nations serve on board our fleet doing humanitarian work.
Become a Technical Volunteer in Africa
Marine Volunteers
Operate the world’s largest civilian hospital ships.
Trades Volunteers
Maintain and repair a floating village.
Operations Volunteers
Oversee operations and logistics for humanitarian work.
CURRENT TECHNICAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Career growth opportunities are available in the following fields:
Chief Engineer
Operations Director
Hotel Engineer
Captain
Mechanic/fitter
Plumber
We are here to help you in your volunteer journey!
Catherine Tremblay
crewcanada@mercyships.ca
Noémie Ntahonkiriye
1-866-900-7447 (toll free)
Interested in learning more
about serving with us?
This page provides help with the most common questions we receive.
Stay up-to-date with the most
recent procedures used by
reading our Long Term Canadian
Crew Guidebook.
Stay up-to-date with the most
recent procedures used by
reading our Short Term
Canadian Crew Guidebook.
Volunteering for Mercy Ships
What you need to know to volunteer in Africa:
Accommodations
There are a limited number of cabins for families and married couples. Single people share a cabin with between 3 and 9 people.
Meals
Onboard, meals are provided. Special diets can’t be catered. There is also a Starbucks cafe with a snack bar and shop.
Amenities
The ships are equipped with a laundromat, recreational and sports areas, a school for children of volunteers, a medical crew clinic and Wi-Fi.
Experience
You may have the opportunity to leave the ships to explore the city and its surroundings, go to the beach, the market or participate in volunteer off-ship opportunities.
Time Commitment
Volunteers must be engaged in this humanitarian work for a period from 10 months to 2 years including personal time off planned.
Requirements
You must be a minimum of 18 years old, have a good knowledge of English and meet immunization requirement.
Core Values
We are an inclusive faith-based organization. We ask our volunteers to respect the core values of Mercy Ships and our code of conduct.
Regulation Forms
Volunteers are subject to maritime law: various codes and regulations have to be signed on board. A medical form provided by your doctor is required to vouch for your good health.
Volunteer Opportunities With Mercy Ships
Find your place onboard
Partner with us today, and don’t miss the opportunity to help change someone’s life forever. Your support and volunteer efforts bring hope and healing to so many in great need.
Not the right time?
Want to serve but it's not the right time? Consider helping volunteers in their fundraising efforts.