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1983-2001 (retired)

The former Newfoundland coastal ferry Petite Forte was donated to Mercy Ships in 1983. She sailed for 11 years as the Good Samaritan serving the Caribbean, Central and South America, until 1994 when she was renamed the Island Mercy and redeployed to the South Pacific where she served until 2001. The vessel went through extensive renovations including the building of operating theatres onboard. The ship was sold in 2001 to a Philippine interest.

The Island Mercy focused on eye and dental services, and carried cargo and a permanent crew of 60 people. Her shallow draft allowed her access where larger Mercy Ships could not reach.

Over 19 years, the Good Samaritan /Island Mercy sailed to over 109 ports and conducted medical missions in 88 port visits to 24 developing nations from South America to the South Pacific.

The Island Mercy offered more than 145,000 services at a value of over $78 million and with 113,000 people as direct beneficiaries. Crew onboard:

• performed more than 1,150 surgeries such as cataract removal, strabismus, dental and orthopaedic procedures.
• treated more than 12,750 people in village medical clinics.
• performed 29,370 dental treatments.
• trained local medical professionals in modern health-care techniques to carry on after the ship’s departure.
• taught local health-care workers to train others in basic health care.
• delivered more than $400,000 of medical equipment, hospital supplies and medicines.