Page 19: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q3 2015)

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a part of impacting the world, of doing some real good, with my professional skills beyond keeping the world economy work- ing.’ It means ? nding the means and time to come, for whatever time one has available, to be a part of something bigger than self, something so deep that a child has a future or an old man ? rst sees his grandchildren. Experiences like these are the re- ward – not ? nancial, but altruistic.” That’s because, at Mercy

Ships, there are generally no salaries on board. Typically, all crew members ? nd their own ? nancial support.

Tretheway is not alone in his life’s work. He explains, “I have been faithfully supported by friends, family and church at home. Among those who ‘pay my salary’ are serving and former U.S. mariners, Coast Guard and Navy of? cers, and others. Some of these latter supporters could not ever come themselves, but they ensured that an aspect of their careers in- cluded supporting the work of the Mercy Ships technical op- eration by helping colleagues who can make the commitment.

I have been faithfully supported by friends,

This makes them part of the amazing stories we see every day family and church at home. Among those who on board, and they can see those stories on the website.”

Clearly, this kind of endeavor simply cannot be done in a ‘pay my salary’ are serving and former U.S. vacuum, or alone. For example, crewmembers are volunteers, “ mariners, Coast Guard and Navy of? cers, and so donations made generally go directly to operating the ship, others. Some of these latter supporters could not purchasing fuel and paying for all the free services Mercy

Ships provide. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Al- ever come themselves, but they ensured that an con supply surgical equipment and consumables. Other com- aspect of their careers included supporting the panies help on the technical side. For example, Rolls Royce helps by donating parts and services to help maintain the ships, work of the Mercy Ships technical operation and Advanced Weather Technologies provides a great weather by helping colleagues who can make the forecasting software system. Mercy Ships accepts ‘goods-in- commitment. This makes them part of the kind’ donations of required items or services. Tretheway adds, “Mercy Ships could use the support of a major fuel company amazing stories we see every day on board, and to ease the strain in that area, and it would help focus resources they can see those stories on the website.

even more directly to helping those in need.” – Captain Tim Tretheway ”

Mercy Ships, By the Numbers: Since 1978, Mercy Ships has … as … $1.2B 78,000 72

Value of services & materials in

Over the years there have been 72

Performed more than 78,000 life-changing developing different nationalities in the crew.

operations such as cleft lip and palate repair.

nations.

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