This is where our story began.

The flagship of our fleet for nearly three decades, the 1953-built Italian cruise liner was originally named the Victoria. In 1978, she was purchased to become the first Mercy Ship.

Renamed Anastasis, meaning resurrection, the 159-meter vessel was converted into a mobile hospital, housing three state-of-the-art operating rooms, a 40-bed hospital ward, a dental clinic, a laboratory, an X-ray unit, and three cargo holds.

The ship and her crew sailed the high seas for 29 years, during which time over 14,900 life-changing surgeries were performed on board.

Formerly a Norwegian ferry (Polarlys), Caribbean Mercy was acquired by Mercy Ships in 1994. In her 12-year history, Caribbean Mercy served in Central America and the Caribbean basin, docking in more than 13 countries and contributed more than 20% of Mercy Ships total output in terms of number of services, value, and beneficiaries.

While in port, this vessel housed an average crew of 120 volunteers from more than 20 nations. She boasted an eye surgery unit, cargo capacity, and conference and seminar facilities used for a variety of programs. In 2006, she was sold to a family foundation for renovation.

The former Newfoundland coastal ferry, Petite Forte, was donated to Mercy Ships in 1983. She sailed for 11 years as Good Samaritan serving the Caribbean, Central, and South America. During that decade-plus, she carried cargo and personnel to the Pan-American games for the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1991, and became the first ship to legally sail between the United States and Cuba in 30 years.

In 1994, she underwent extensive renovations, and was renamed Island Mercy. She focused on eye and dental services, carried cargo, and a permanent crew of 60 people. She was redeployed to the South Pacific where she served until 2001. To her crew, she was affectionately known as “Little Giant.”