Hello from Freetown, Sierra Leone.  As the Port Liaison for Mercy Ships serving both of our hospital ships, one of my biggest days is the arrival of a vessel into a country.  So much planning and preparatory work is invested to see a successful arrival.

Photo Caption:  A short video interview with Harry on what it has taken to bring the ship back – the photographer was good with the Global Mercy in the distance over my left shoulder.

While the Global Mercy was at her first drydock in Cadiz, Spain, I was serving here in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to prepare for her arrival back: Date: Tuesday, 12 August 2025.  While the vessel was away, I regularly visited the Berth #3 space to ensure all was well and to walk the dock, and also pray.  Though approaching the arrival day can be a bit stressful.  I had promises from the Port Authority and our Agents that all was set for the pilot boarding the vessel at 9:30 am on Tuesday, as requested by the Captain.  Although the plan didn’t unfold as expected due to a vessel at Berth #4 and Berth #2, the pilots’ preference was to wait until later in the day for safety reasons.  The vessel at Berth #4 was preparing to depart, and so the Global Mercy had to be patient.  So we had a delay of about seven hours, though we rejoiced with the safe arrival.  Our standard required Arrival Formalities had to be adjusted. Health and Quarantine came on board on Tuesday evening, as their approval was critical for allowing others to board and for the crew to have shore leave. The other five authorities came on Wednesday morning – Immigration (stamping 301 passports), Customs, Maritime, International Ship and Port Facility Security, and our Agents. 

Photo Caption: View of the crew as the vessel approached Berth #3 – I am on the dock dressed in my uniform and wearing my hard hat – just a dot in this photo.

Then for the rest of the week, work was done, including: 

• the dockside setup started in the rain with assistance from using the Terex and forklifts
• returning to the port all the ship vehicles left here in Freetown,
• connecting for fresh water,
• initial garbage pick-ups, and
• an early visit to the HOPE Center. 

Photo Caption: the Global Mercy slowly approaches Berth #3 with the tugboats on stand by to assist if needed.

Praise:  *Successful Sail and Arrival of the Global Mercy  * Crew on the Africa Mercy continue to serve faithfully in Madagascar, I will rejoin them in November

Prayers: * Life Changing Surgeries on both the Global Mercy in Sierra Leone and the Africa Mercy in Madagascar * Safety for all  * Good health

Serving together,