Lankhorst Euronete Australia and Bridco Supports Medical Ship in PNG

Lankhorst Euronete Australia and Bridco have teamed up to get the YWAM Training and Medical Ship, MV YWAM PNG, ship-shape for her next deployment to Papua New Guinea (PNG) by donating mooring ropes, stainless steel lifting-hooks and shackles, and lifting straps.

The MV YWAM PNG has been in her home-port of Townsville for the last two months undergoing maintenance and re-stocking and is now enroute to PNG. The deployment will start with a large vaccine drive in response to the recently confirmed polio outbreak in PNG. YWAM Medical Ships volunteers and Morobe Provincial Health workers will form teams to administer immunisations throughout the Finschhafen district. Teams will be deployed from the MV YWAM PNG via small boats, 4WD vehicles, and a helicopter.

YWAM Medical Ships Marine Operations Manager, Captain Jeremy Schierer, said he was grateful to have the support of Lankhorst Euronete Australia and Bridco.

“Every contribution really does help us work toward a shared vision; healthy villages and a healthy nation.

“By the end of our last deployment our mooring lines were really ready for replacement and the gift-in-kind donation from Lankhorst Euronete Australia couldn’t have come at a better time. When a need for stainless lifting components was presented, Lankhorst Euronete Australia reached out to their network and connected with Bridco.  The stainless hooks and shackles will really tidy up our small boat operations,” said Jeremy.

In addition to the polio vaccine drive, teams will work in collaboration with national and provincial health authorities and a range of local health providers to deliver child and maternal health services, dentistry procedures, eye care (including sight-restoring eye surgeries), health education, water and sanitation projects, and collegial support and mentoring for local health workers.

Lankhorst Euronete Australia Managing Director, Ms Cheryl Vogler, said she was pleased to be able to support YWAM Medical Ships work in PNG.

“I had the opportunity to take a tour of the MV YWAM PNG a few weeks ago, and was amazed at the innovative approach YWAM Medical Ships takes when it comes to reaching isolated communities, all in partnership with a range of PNG’s government departments, local health providers and the villages themselves.

“We are certainly very proud to be supporting the project,” said Cheryl.

The MV YWAM PNG will be in Papua New Guinea for around 9 months, working in seven different provinces. Healthcare professionals, mariners and general volunteers are invited to volunteer aboard the vessel throughout the deployment. To learn more, visit www.ywamships.org.au