Sierra Leone Bound!

Smooth sailing for the Africa Mercy as she navigates her way 
to open seas as she departs Durban, South Africa.

Jim Paterson, Senior Vice President of Operations, reports that the Africa Mercy departed Durban on February 10th bound for Freetown, Sierra Leone via Cape Town.

Although the project encountered some delays the end result was everything we hoped for. After some initial settling in adjustments during the first 12 hour period the vessel performed very well indeed during the three day trip from Durban to Cape Town.

Mercy Ships is very grateful to all who participated on this large project – Southern African Shipyards and Controlmatic Gmbh as the major contractors as well as many sub contractors and suppliers many of whom gave special pricing for this project.


We are very proud of our four new MAN 5L21/31 generator sets and expect them to give many years of reliable service as well as a significant savings on fuel costs.



Once again, thank you to the many volunteers who contributed to the project over the last five and a half months, without each one of them the project would have been that more difficult and expensive.

When the Africa Mercy arrives in Freetown towards the end of February, the ship and her crew of volunteers will continue on its mission to bring hope and healing to the people of this West African nation.



The Africa Mercy leaves the sanctuary of Cape Town's Victoria and Albert
Waterfront continuing on her voyage to Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Nearing Completion Of The Project

In an update from the shipyard in Durban, South Africa, Jim Paterson, Senior Vice President of Operations, said that the Power the Vision project is coming close to a successful completion. 

All 4 new generator sets have been tested to full load capacity and finally testing and adjustments on the electrical distribution switchboard are currently under way.

“The Shipyard is working on the last details of piping and deck plating and all other systems are being brought on line.” Paterson said. “The new air conditioning system is now up and running.”

“The Main Engine Control system is undergoing final checks prior to starting engines for testing on Thursday.”

He added “We are still planning on departing Durban on schedule bound for Freetown, Sierra Leone.”

He personally thanked the many volunteers who labored hard on this project to bring it to completion.

Watch a time lapse video where the Africa Mercy's drydock is filled with water as she moves berths to continue maintenance work.

Rigorous Testing To Start Soon

According to Project Manager Ken Berry, work is rapidly progressing toward the goal of starting the first generator set during the 3rd week of January. Shipyard and subcontractor crews are working in very tight quarters to finish up the piping systems and electrical wiring necessary to begin the testing phase.



Some members of the very hardworking team of volunteers
who are lending their skills to complete this important project.

With such a complicated system, a rigorous testing program will begin with the start of the first gen set engine and will finish with all the gen sets tuned to the new system and each other to obtain maximum performance and efficiency.

Ken concludes that "The shipboard crew are holding up well in spite of the summer heat of Durban.  Everyone is looking forward to when the generator sets are running and stable enough to allow the air condition systems to be commissioned and run on a regular basis.

We have had a super team of volunteers this year and the quantity and quality of work accomplished stands as testimony to their expertise and dedication. I could not have asked for more from this wonderful group and only hope they have been as blessed by their labor of love, as I have been."

Setting A Brisk Pace!

Ken Berry, Project Manager reports from Durban that the work onboard the Africa Mercy continues at a brisk pace by the two main contractors and 8 or their subcontractors, all of whom are busy with piping, electrical and support systems.

The two Generator Rooms and the Main Switchboard Room are crowded with electricians, pipe fitters, welders, fire watchmen and cleaners.

Strength and tightness testing of tanks and piping systems has commenced on the portions of these systems that are now completed.

A big push is on to complete major system installation work by Christmas Day, in order that system commissioning can begin Christmas week.

As soon as all support systems are checked out and proven to be reliable, the new Generators can be started up and run thru their paces.

We are anxiously awaiting that day!  

Shipyard Work Continues

Work on connecting the new MAN Generators and CARRIER Chiller units continue onboard the Africa Mercy. The ship has now left drydock in is docked inside the shipyard.

Carrier Chiller unit in place ready to be wired up.

Genset in place and being hooked up. Deck plates going back in.

Cabling being run and getting in place to hook up.

photos Chuck Dodgen

Putting It All Together.

Special projects team members continue working on projects aboard the Africa Mercy in dry dock in Durban, South Africa.

Special project crew member, Arie Roest, works on
the electrical system for the control panels.



One of the two new Carrier air conditioning units being installed



Work has started putting down framing for the deck plating.

Note the steps that have been attached to the generator foundation



Controlmatic has mounted the control boxes for the generators in
preparation for wiring the system together. One of the gensets is visible in
the background and the box in the foreground



Shipyard workers continue readying more pipe for the project.

Photos courtesy of Mercy Ships and Chuck Dodgen.

Cabling Trays Being Mounted

Work is progressing on the wiring, cabling and reconnecting of the newly installed MAN Generator units onboard the Africa Mercy.

Cabling trays being mounted for the wiring of the units.

photos courtesy of Chuck Dodgen.