Mercy Ships, which provides free live-saving surgeries for people where medical care is nearly non-existent, uses hospital ships to sail into the harbors of remote countries to perform these operations. As they sail through international waters, their vessels must comply with official safety standards under IMO regulations. Included in these regulations is the requirement to sail with an approved Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) onboard.
The Africa Mercy, currently the largest civilian hospital ship in the world, was built in 1980 and carried a first generation VDR which eventually was unsupported by the makers. Netwave supported Mercy Ships with a new VDR installation, making sure the vessel remained compliant to the regulations.
"After changing out the Africa Mercy’s original VDR for a NETWAVE VDR, the maintenance issues we had with the older generation unit have disappeared. This new unit has been dependable for us. Having companies within the maritime industry such as NETWAVE partnering with us underscores that we all can be a part of helping the less fortunate," stated Ciaran Holden, Technical Superintendent for Mercy Ships.