Let's Explore the Africa Mercy

 

The M/V Africa Mercy

I found living on the Africa Mercy to be quite confusing in the beginning, because  I got lost quite frequently.  Actually, I still am getting lost!  On my second day here, I was given a tour of the ship, and one thing that has helped me remember which way to go (as there are two main sets of stairs), is the colour of the staircases.  Confusing?  Yes.

But first, in describing the ship, I suppose some basics are required.  The M/V Africa Mercy is not a boat, it is a ship.  I think this is because it is large enough that it could carry a smaller vessel.  One way  to differentiate between a ship and a boat, is a boat could fit on a ship, but a ship could not fit on a boat.  Some people become quite offended when the Africa Mercy is referred to as a boat.

The gangway is the set of steps that we walk up to enter the ship at the level of the fifth deck.

Everyone returning to the ship after a fire drill on the dock.

The front and back of the boat have special names:

• Back = Aft/Stern
• Front = Bow
• Right = Starboard
• Left = Port

In the particular port we are docked at here in Benin, the port side of the ship happens to be where the dock/port is...so that makes it easy to remember!  These photos show the ship in port at night.  All of the vehicles parked in front on the dock belong to Mercy Ships, and they are lifted up onto Deck 8 (top deck of the ship) and strapped down when the ship travels to another country.

The large, open area on the dock is where people play football (soccer), volleyball, ultimate frisbee, have picnics, go for jogs, etc.  It is a well-used space.

The lowest deck on the ship is Deck 1.  I think it is all general machinery and engines and such.  There is no access to it for general crew, only for ship crew.  I sleep on Deck 2 above that, and we can often hear rumblings of the engines.  It is loud at times, but can be quite comforting.  These steep stairs are what we have to traverse to go down from Deck 3 to Deck 2.

Steps down to my room!

This hydraulic door is on the way back to my room from the bathroom.  In the event of a hole in the ship or some other instance where water is leaking in, this door would close and seal off one part of the ship from another.  I sure hope nothing happens!  There are gruesome signs indicating that if the door is closing, move out of the way.

Then the photo with the fire extinguisher shows my room.  It is the brown door on the right.

I have already posted photos of my room here.  There definitely are benefits to a room layout such as we have.  It's not posted in the photo, but directly in front of the stairs as you travel onto the second deck, there is a small gym to lift weights or workout, and a room with two spin bikes, a treadmill, and a rowing machine.  We are toward the bow (front) of the ship with our rooms.

Deck 3 contains the hospital (toward the ship's aft) and more cabins (toward the bow).  Deck 4 contains mostly cabins for families/couples and for those who are longer term crew.  These photos are an example of the family cabins.

On Deck 5 is the gangway access, the crew galley and dining room, the cafe (which is supposedly the cheapest Starbucks in the world), many offices, a hair salon, post office, bank, and cabins.

Deck 6 has seating areas, an internet cafe, the laundry room, and a library.  It also contains a galley where crew can cook for themselves, and the Academy  (K-12 school for children of families serving on the ship) is toward the aft of the ship.

Common games played on Deck 6 in Midships...Dutch Blitz, Settlers of Catan, puzzles...anything you would see in a homeschool family's house...we will likely be playing here!

Midships is quite busy, but there are plenty of ways for introverts to find time to be alone, even in the midst of the crowds.

I was sure that I had spotted a cockroach on the floor.

Laundry room.

The seventh deck is where the bridge of the ship is.  The bridge is the wide-windowed area where the crew can command the ship.  Deck 7 also has a large area with cabins for the technical crew, and other various rooms.  There is access to the outside decks from here.  Every afternoon, around 14:30, many of the patients and their caregivers can come outside on the starboard side of Deck 7 to play, relax, and take a break from being on the wards.  It is a really crazy and fun time for them all!  Whenever a patient is able to go up to Deck 7 for the first time postoperative, it is a very exciting event!  Not only is it a change of scene, but this allows patients to get fresh air and a bit of sun.  Sometimes, if it takes a long time for someone to recover from surgery, they could spend weeks on the ship, on a deck without windows.  Deck 7 time is a necessity.

Little ones hanging out on Deck 7 during recreational time.

If the kids are not running around or riding bikes on Deck 7, this memory game or Connect 4 are common games to be found!

Valentin and all the other children were so excited to be using the tricycles!

From taking outdoor stairwells on Deck 7, there is access to deck 8.  Deck 8 contains a crane, lifeboats, and other items such as air intakes and exhaust areas, storage, etc., but there is also a lot of open space.  Mercy Shippers joke about being on Deck 8 in the evening, because it is common to find couples walking around.  Toward the aft (rear) of the ship, there are steps up to a small swimming pool, which is a donated shipping container-turned-pool!  Some people consider this to be Deck 9.

Ariel view of the M/V Africa Mercy, docked in Cotonou, Benin, West Africa, along with the dock space available to us.  The three small tents on the left of the photo are the rehab, outpatient (dressing changes), and admissions tents.  The shipping containers prevented people from entering the dock area except through the secured gate.

Thanks for coming along and seeing my home for the next nine weeks.  I am very excited to be here serving the amazing people of Benin!