MaritimeMercy.com

Inspired on the great Brazilian educator Paulo Freire’s "Praxis: reflection and action" I am taken few moments on the outset of 2010 to reflect on the year soon to be over. Post-Modern life is characterized by many actions (multi-tasking), but very little time for reflection on what was done. I can honest say that my routine fits quite well in the Post-Modern habits. Nevertheless, I do take time to reflect, not as much as I want to. On my year-end reflection two prominent focuses emerges: relationships and accomplished results. It is easy to begin with the later because many things was accomplished in my ministry with Mercy Ships: thousands of lives being transformed, the Jesus Film and birthday in Africa, ISO 9001 certification and the training provided to our staff and crew. To reflect on relationships, which are hard to measure, we have to take in consideration the process, because relationships are not a task to be accomplished. Relationships are the result of the process...

Last June the guest cabin on deck 5 of the Africa Mercy was hot than usual. The 30 years old AC unity that serves the area was operating in its lowest capacity. I would not notice it if the instructor I brought onboard was not housed there. I felt bad because my cabin on a different section of the ships was cooler. A new AC unity is being installed in place of the old one; it will improve the overall cooling of the ship, use less fuel and be environment friendly.

Teamwork is one of the most important component in accomplish Mercy Ships' mission to bring hope and healing to poor and needy of Africa. Volunteers from around the world joined the crew of the Africa Mercy for the Power the Vision project.

There is something unique about running a Basic Safety Training (BST) here in Texas. It is an aura of expectation and excitement on the crew preparing to join the Africa Mercy. For many of them it will be the first time they will work onboard a hospital ship serving the poor and needy in Africa. As an instructor I see first hand the fear of what an emergency may bring transformed into confidence. The safety training prepares them to face emergencies with knowledge of the equipment and procedures, and confidence in each other.

Survival at sea is known as Personal Survival Techniques (PST) training. This training includes donning a lifejacket, donning an immersion suit, boarding a life raft and flipping over a life raft. The PST is part of the Basic Safety Training – BST (STCW95).

On Monday, October 11, seventeen students began the Basic Safety Training – BST course here in Texas. Bellow are pictures of the Basic Fire Fighting (BFF).

On August 31, 2010, the Mercy Ships Maritime Training Center was awarded by Lloyd’s Register ISO 9001-2008 Certification. The Quality Management System (QMS) is a requirement for providing training and certification according to international maritime code Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping – STCW-95. Achieving ISO 9001 Certification is the result of Marine Operations’ commitment to provide quality training and certification to our crew members. The training provides unskilled crew members the opportunity to become skilled professionals and Licensed Officers the chance to receive further training.