Applying from Canada?
Your Skills.
Their Lives.
Canadian professionals volunteer aboard hospital ships transforming lives in Africa. Some go for two weeks. Some stay for years.
Canadians who have served
Heather Hannon
OR Nurse,
Fredericton, NB
Dan Croutch
and family
Operations Director, Waterloo, ON
Hannah Ostermeier
Hope Center Manager, Calgary, AB
David and Elaine Sigalet
Chief Medical Officer and ETA Director, Calgary, AB
Danica Massey
Senior Pharmacist, Kamloops, BC
Chantal Doddridge
Wound Care Team Nurse, Longueil, QC
Two hospital ships. Hundreds of skilled professionals. A year-round mission.
Almost everything on board is done by volunteers. Surgeons, nurses, captains, plumbers, IT people — professionals who give weeks, months, or years. We're looking for people with the qualifications and the drive to do something extraordinary - and to be extraordinarily changed in the process.
0
0
2 weeks to 2 years
Commitment from short-term to multi-year
Current Availability
We’re looking for people like you.
Every role on board exists because someone's skills can change someone else's life. Here's where yours might fit.
Healthcare Professionals
“Your skills change outcomes on board.”
Your clinical skills will be used in ways you've never experienced. From operating rooms to training local practitioners, healthcare volunteers are at the heart of our mission.
Roles include
- Surgeons & OR teams
- OR / PACU nurses, anesthesia providers
- Pharmacists, lab & radiology technicians
- Hospital Directors, CMOs, OR Managers
- Clinical Supervisors & Educators
Minimum 2 years clinical experience for nurses. Leadership roles require 1–2 year commitment.
Marine, Trades & Technical
“Without you, we don't leave port.”
-
Captains, Chief Engineers, Deck Officers
-
Red Seal mechanics, plumbers, carpenters
-
IT support & endpoint analysts
-
Galley staff (commercial kitchen exp. required)
Marine certification required for all officer roles.
Leadership & Operations
“Your experience keeps us moving forward.”
- Finance, HR & organizational leadership
- IT leadership & infrastructure
- Hotel and food services management
- Education & training coordinators
1–2 year commitment. Cross-cultural experience an asset.
Our hospital ships require about 2,000 volunteers per year to provide surgical services in port. Not sure if your qualifications fit? That's exactly what our Canadian team is here to help you figure out.
Every career has seasons
Where are you in your career?
Life on the ship
Discover what it’s like to be onboard
Real questions, honest answers — before you commit.
Where you’ll be
West Africa. Each country brings its own culture, food, and landscape. Weekends are yours to explore.
Your cabin
Shared quarters, bunk beds, Wi-Fi, A/C. Cozy, not luxurious. Couples and families have private cabins.
Community
400–500 volunteers from dozens of countries, living and working together toward a shared mission.
Shared Values
Shared values shape daily life on board — compassion, service, and for many, faith. It’s a community that takes care of each other.
Amenities
Gym, dining room, library, pool, multiple dining options, onboard clinic, bank. The ships are small floating cities.
Families welcome
Long-term roles accommodate families. Accredited on-board school, family cabins, and a kids' community.
Applying from Canada?
Here’s how we can help.
Canadians in your corner
Parlez-vous français?
French speakers are in high demand on board—especially when we are serving in French‑speaking countries. While the application process and working language on the ship are English, we offer bilingual support to guide you every step of the way.
You won't do this alone
Building a base of support is part of the journey. Volunteers often invite friends, family, colleagues, community service clubs, and churches to be part of a team that stands alongside them and shares in the impact. We are here to help.
Yara Sayegh
Volunteer Placement Advisor
Catherine Tremblay
Volunteer Engagement Lead
Chris Attwater
Volunteer Placement & Performance Coordinator
Mercy Ships ALumni
Have you served with Mercy Ships before?
Alumni are the backbone of our ships — ensuring a strong, experienced team ready to sail successfully. We find we need 60% returning crew to operate. Your path back looks different from a new applicant’s.
Ready to get started?
Tell our Canadian team a little about yourself and your background. They'll be in touch to help you figure out if this is the right fit — no obligation.
What happens next?
0
0
0
Why You are Needed
Each year as many as 1,550 volunteers from 60 nations serve on board our fleet doing humanitarian work.
We are here to help you in your volunteer journey!
1-866-900-7447 (toll free)