Volunteer your skills on board a hospital ship
Take the quizWhy volunteer with Mercy Ships?
A hospital ship runs on skilled people. Surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists are always in high demand, and so are the maritime and technical crew who keep the ship itself safely at sea, including deck officers, engineers, and electricians.
-
Serving on board our hospital ships each year
-
2,500+ volunteers
-
70+ Countries
-
Medical and maritime or technical roles are our most urgent, ongoing needs. If that's your background, we especially want to hear from you.
Roles in hospitality, education, and IT keep the community running. Nearly every position calls for real, relevant experience. This isn't a fit for everyone, and that's exactly why the people who do serve make such a difference.
Whether you're a surgeon, a marine engineer, an experienced cook, or a skilled teacher, your skills can be part of a hospital ship crew delivering life-changing surgery to people who need it most. You'll serve alongside a global community from many nations, all bringing their skills together for the same purpose.
Meet the crew
These are real people who said yes, from the operating room to the engine room. Every one of them found a role that matched their skills.
-
An african surgeon, not an african beneficiary
-
The hospital can’t get there without the ship
-
The hospital needs engineers too
-
A front-row seat to healing
-
Bringing her skills home
-
He came for one week. Then everything changed.
-
The ship that inspired his career became his mission
-
Two weeks of annual leave, spent operating
-
The teacher behind the volunteers
-
Her skills keep surgery working
-
She grew up on board. Then came back as a nurse.
-
She came on board as an electrician. It changed where her career could go.
-
A few weeks. For more than 20 years.
-
Helping patients take the next step
-
Her engineering career started somewhere unexpected
-
He almost didn't apply
Hear from our crew
Don't just take our word for it - hear directly from crew members about why they came, and why so many stay.
How to get involved
-
Take the quiz or join an info session.
Get a feel for what serving on board is really like, and find roles that fit your skills.
-
Explore open roles.
Browse live opportunities at [opportunities.mercyships.org].
-
Apply and connect with a recruiter.
A real person walks you through requirements, timelines, and next steps.
-
Get placed and prepare.
Once matched to a role, you'll get support preparing for departure, including travel, training, and what to expect.
Home, for however long you serve, is a working hospital ship and an international community rolled into one. You'll live alongside your crewmates, share meals in the dining room, and be part of a community built around a shared purpose, not just a job.
Being a volunteer for Mercy Ships has been an incredible privilege and some of the best years of my life
What you need to know
Thinking about joining our crew? Here are a few essentials to know before you apply.
-
Age: 18–79 years for most roles
-
Language: English proficiency required
-
Length of service: Most roles 2–3 months; some medical roles 2–4 weeks
-
Cost: Volunteers cover travel, insurance and vaccinations. Support is available for fundraising
Where your skills fit
- Medical: Surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, biomedical engineers, and other healthcare professionals. Relevant qualifications and hands-on experience are required. This is one of our most in-demand areas.
- Maritime and technical: Deck and engine room crew, electricians, IT, and facilities professionals who help keep the ship safely operating at sea. These roles require relevant maritime or technical qualifications and experience and are just as urgently needed as medical roles.
- General: Hospitality, food service, education, finance, communications, and other roles that keep the onboard community running. Most positions require relevant skills and experience, but opportunities span a wide range of professional backgrounds.
Do you want to learn more?
Join a free info session to hear directly what serving on board involves, ask questions live, and meet the recruitment team. No commitment required.
FAQ
Roles On board
What kind of roles are available on board?
Positions fall into three areas: medical, maritime & technical, and general (hospitality, education, admin, and other roles that keep the community running).
Can I do an internship or a short work-experience placement on board?
No. Capacity on board is limited, so we're unable to offer internships or short work experience placements. Every role, including entry-level positions, is a full working role.
Do I need a completed qualification to work in a medical role?
Yes. All medical crew must hold a completed qualification and have hands-on experience in their field — we're not able to offer training placements or supervised practice for students.
Can I volunteer without medical experience?
Yes - maritime, technical, and general roles (hospitality, education, admin, and more) don't require a medical background. That said, nearly every role, medical or not, expects relevant qualifications or hands-on experience in your field.
Personal Requirements
Is there an age limit to volunteer?
Yes — most roles are open to ages 18 to 79, though volunteers aged 70+ need an additional health check before deployment.
How fit or healthy do I need to be?
All volunteers need a doctor's certificate confirming basic health, and some roles have specific fitness requirements — the details are covered during your application.
How long can I volunteer?
Most roles run 2–3 months minimum; specialist medical roles like surgeons can serve for as little as 2–4 weeks, while some crew stay for years.
Do I need to be Christian to volunteer?
No — as a Christian organization, we welcome volunteers regardless of church membership, and everyone signs our code of conduct. That said, faith is a central part of life on board, and many crew find that sharing it makes day-to-day community and teamwork easier.
Where do I apply?
All applications go through our open positions at opportunities.mercyships.org.
Costs, Insurance & Working Conditions
How much does it cost to volunteer?
Cost depends on your role, deployment length, and personal circumstances - a member of our team will walk you through this during a personal consultation.
How many hours will I work each week?
Crew typically work 40–45 hours a week, sometimes on a shift schedule depending on their role.
Do I get time off or vacation during my placement?
Yes — weekends often allow time for local excursions, and volunteers serving three months or longer receive vacation days.
Am I automatically insured?
Mercy Ships provides medical evacuation/repatriation coverage and an onboard doctor, but we recommend arranging supplemental travel health insurance yourself.
What about liability if something goes wrong with a patient's treatment?
Mercy Ships holds agreements with host governments that protect medical volunteers from personal liability; ship's physicians and dentists are the exception and carry their own coverage.
Life Onboard
Is it safe to live on board?
Yes — safety is a top priority. Every host country is thoroughly assessed before a ship arrives, and the ship operates under international (ISPS) security standards with a dedicated onboard security team.
Can unmarried couples serve together?
Yes, but they're assigned separate cabins, in line with our onboard code of conduct.
Can I bring my spouse or family?
Married couples can occasionally serve together when both have matching roles and availability; bringing children is rare and mostly limited to long-term crew in leadership roles.
Can I have visitors on board?
Day visitors are possible under certain conditions with advance notice.
Will I have contact with the local community?
Yes — you'll work alongside day crew from the host nation, and many volunteers also visit patients, join community projects, or attend a local church.
Talk to a recruiter
Recruitment team
Stay connected to stories of faith, hope, and healing
Add impact to your inbox
