Mercy Ships is updating the way financial support is provided to volunteer crew. This follows months of listening, reflection, and prayer, as well as clear feedback from volunteers across both ships that current support levels no longer reflect the culture of personal sacrifice and volunteering that has shaped Mercy Ships since the beginning. From our earliest days, volunteers have served out of faith, compassion, and calling. Their willingness to give of themselves has always been at the heart of our mission. Over time, Mercy Ships introduced additional support to remove financial barriers, and during COVID this support expanded again to help volunteers continue serving through an exceptional global crisis.
Those expanded levels were never intended to continue indefinitely. Volunteers have shared that the current approach feels out of step with our roots and represents a shift away from who we are as an organisation. In response to concerns and following feedback and consultation with our people, the Executive Leadership Team has agreed to a new Financial Support policy that realigns us with our identity as a volunteer organisation while strengthening clarity, and consistency.
Flight Coverage Changes
What is changing? Mercy Ships is moving to a clearer and more consistent approach to flight coverage. Previously, flights were fully covered for all programmatic and critical crew regardless of how long they serve. Beginning 1 January 2026, this will shift to a standardised model based on role and length of service, so volunteers know what to expect before they commit to joining.
Why is this changing? Volunteers have asked for consistent guidance so they can plan before they apply to serve. This change also encourages programmatic and critical crew to serve for longer periods, strengthening continuity and reducing turnover in crucial roles.
Insurance Changes
What is changing? Mercy Ships is replacing its limited evacuation and repatriation policy with a comprehensive single insurance policy that will be provided at no cost to all active volunteers. This new policy covers inpatient and outpatient medical care, accidents, travel, emergency evacuation and repatriation. Coverage begins upon travel to and return from the ship or field service, and family members are included if they are travelling on Mercy Ships business or are recorded as volunteers in Vista.
Volunteers may keep their own personal insurance if they wish, but in any emergency the Mercy Ships policy will take precedence to ensure immediate action and clear coordination. Claims will be managed through Talent Trust, our long-standing insurance partner.
Why is this changing? Insurance is a core need for long-term safe service and should be treated similarly to other essentials such as accommodation and meals. A single standardised policy ensures that every volunteer is adequately protected without the financial burden of sourcing their own plan. It also reduces the combined cost of many individual policies for both volunteers and Mercy Ships. Having one provider means that in an emergency, the organisation can respond swiftly and consistently with all necessary information at hand, reducing delays and avoiding gaps in coverage.
Continued Coverage for All Crew
Mercy Ships will continue providing a significant base of support for all volunteers. These foundational supports remain unchanged under the new model:
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Utilities
- Essential on board services
- No crew fees for any volunteer, with no plans to reinstate them
Commitment to Clarity and Predictability
This decision was made with care, prayer, and a strong sense of responsibility, and it has been fully endorsed by the Executive Leadership Team, including the interim and incoming CEOs.
While final, the Financial Support policy will undergo annual reviews. Any future adjustments will align with clear principles and provide adequate notice so volunteer crew can prepare.
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