Life extension completed on Mercy Ships floating hospital

Naval architects BMT has completed a series of service life extension upgrades on Africa Mercy, a hospital vessel operated by non-profit Mercy Ships.

Following the successful completion of the initial extension programme, the vessel is now operational ahead of the next stage of upgrades that will deliver further improvements and allow it to operate until 2035.

The ship hosts state-of-the-art hospital facilities including five operating theatres as well as recovery, intensive care, and low dependency wards totalling 80 patient beds. The vessel is also home to around 450 volunteer crew, with accommodations that include six family cabins.

BMT provided independent technical support as part of the essential life extension programme for Africa Mercy.

BMT conducted a lifecycle assessment to review the material state of the ship and the viability of a life extension (LIFEX) for the vessel. This assessment followed a structured approach to include all aspects of the vessel, including hull and structure, machinery, accommodation and public spaces, and environmental legislation.

BMT conducted a detailed ship survey while Africa Mercy was in dry-dock at Astilleros Canarios (ASTICAN) in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, in August 2021. This was fulfilled by surveyors from BMT’s Netherlands office, who specialise in material state surveys for commercial vessels.