Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships is an international charity-based non-governmental organization that operates the largest non-governmental hospital ship service in the world, providing surgical care and surgical education in Africa, community development projects, community health education, mental health programs, agriculture projects, and palliative care for terminally ill patients. Its has a headquarters in Garden Valley, Texas, and offices in sixteen countries around the world. Founded by Don Stephens in 1978, Mercy Ships has visited many countries, but focuses on Africa. As of 2026, the organization operates a two-ship fleet consisting of the Global Mercy and the Africa Mercy.