Marine Reach, the maritime arm of Marine Reach Ministries, is a volunteer Christian organization of professionals and dedicated individuals using waterborne vessels to demonstrate the hope and compassion of Jesus Christ to those in need around the world via oceans, seas, lakes and rivers.

Ship History

Since 1990, Marine Reach has operated several ships in different areas of the world.

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  M/Y Pacific Ruby

  Our first vessel was the M/Y Pacific Ruby (293GRT). This vessel was donated to the organization and used for six years pioneering the work of Marine Reach in fifteen nations across the Pacific. In 1996 the vessel was sold to an Australian interest.

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  M/V Island Mercy

  In 1994 the M/V Island Mercy (993GRT) was obtained and remained in service with Marine Reach for seven years. The vessel went through extensive renovations including the building of operating surgeries on board. Serving from the South Pacific to the Philippines Islands, over 100,000 men, women and children received medical care with many receiving cataract surgeries and dental treatment on board the vessel. The ship was sold in 2001 to a Philippine interest.

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  M/V Pacific Link

  In January 2001 the M/V Pacific Link (283GRT) was purchased in Tauranga, New Zealand. After nine months of renovations including the construction of operating surgeries on board she began service in the South Pacific in April 2002. Presently, the Pacific Link, with its on-board dental and ophthalmic clinic, is involved in training, medical ministry and evangelism.

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  S/Y Next Wave

  From 2004 – 2005, Marine Reach chartered the S/Y Elida from a Christian charity, Elida Foundation (which does evangelism in Scandinavia with young people). During those years, the ship took outreach teams to Morocco and assisted in events and teaching courses. In March 2007, the S/Y Elida was purchased by YWAM England, and was renamed the S/Y Next Wave. Presently the ship is used for training, evangelism and mercy ministries.

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  Bethesda

  Built outside of Belem Brazil in 2006,  the construction is entirely out of Brazilian hardwoods, total length is 13 meters (42 feet) long. The boat sat for high and dry for 2 years waiting for funds, an engine and transmission. In late 2008 a motor was donated and rebuilt for marine use, then a new transmission was imported. Commissioning of the boat will took place on May 10th 2009 and is now being used for Evangelism, Medical, Dental, Church Planting and construction outreaches in Brazil’s Northeast rivers.

• S/V Caribbean Reach

  In February 2010 the Caribbean Reach was purchased to pioneer a maritime ministry in the Caribbean Islands. She was commissioned in April 2010 in St. Petersburg, FL. The vessel is a 74×22 foot Ketch rigged motorsailor. The vessel is being used for training, evangelism, mercy ministry and construction outreaches.

What is the relationship between Marine Reach – Youth With A Mission and Mercy Ships?

MARINE REACH STATEMENT

The Board of Marine Reach New Zealand has become aware that some confusion still exists regarding the relationship between the organisations Marine Reach and Mercy Ships.

Marine Reach is the marine arm of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and was started in 1990 when the mission acquired the M/V Pacific Ruby. The name was changed to Mercy Ships – Youth With A Mission in 1991 at the request of the International Leadership of YWAM.

In January 2001 the leadership of Mercy Ships (a then ministry of Youth With A Mission) chose to leave Youth With A Mission and become totally separate preferring a corporate based structure for their ship operation. The ministries Mercy Ships – New Zealand, Mercy Ships – Australia, and Mercy Ships – Philippines recognized that the spiritual and historical ownership of the ministry remained with Marine Reach as a ministry of Youth With A Mission.

As a result, Mercy Ships – USA required Mercy Ships – NZ to relinquish the name “Mercy Ships”. At that time Mercy Ships – Youth With A Mission reverted to it’s original name Marine Reach – Youth With A Mission and continued with the same Trust, Trustees, office staff and ships, and close relationship with YWAM.

Mercy Ships International, a USA based corporation, started its current legal identity on the 5^th of February 2004.  Mercy Ships – NZ does not operate ships out of New Zealand or in the Pacific Region.

The Board of Marine Reach New Zealand regrets the confusion.

Marine Reach Ministries (MRM) is a maritime arm of Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Established to operate and develop ship-equipped ministries, Marine Reach is currently operating in 14 countries around the globe.

Originally founded by David & Linda Cowie, and John & Marion Brignall, Marine Reach Ministries began in New Zealand in 1990. Initially using ships to reach isolated island communities in the South Pacific, MRM has expanded into an international organisation operating in numerous locations, partnering with a variety of other ministries. Using ships, trucks, mobile clinics and land bases, our aim is to provide humanitarian aid and relief to communities in developing nations around the world.

Our programmes have a major focus on mercy ministry, particularly medical care. This includes Dentistry, Ophthalmology (cataract surgery), Primary Health Care and Education, and Optometry. Medical Professionals such as Nurses and Doctors join our volunteer teams for medical outreaches in various locations. Our aim of “linking resources to needs” will include medical aid and relief programmes to construction projects, depending on the needs of each community in the nations we serve.

• Marine Reach Ministries (MRM) is the main maritime arm of YWAM, currently working in 14 countries.

• Marine Reach Ministries is broken down into three divisions with the same three focuses for each part of the ministry:

Training: Marine Reach runs Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) on-board our ships and at each of our land bases around the world.

Marine Reach: is the maritime arm of Marine Reach Ministries. Through the use of waterborne vessels, volunteers reach out to needy communities via oceans, seas, lakes and tributaries.

Mercy Link: is the stationary, land-based division of Marine Reach Ministries. From full-time outreach centers volunteers impact surrounding communities and provide long-lasting sustainable programming for those in need.

All divisions of MRM focus on these three categories, however most of our programes have a major focus on mercy ministries, specifically medical care, includeing dental, primary health care, Ophthalmology services (cataract and other eye surgeries), optometry, health education and community development. Our volunteer workers include maritime professionals, surgeons, nurses and doctors and those with a heart to serve the poor and needy throughout the nations we serve.. Our aim is “linking resources to needs” this will include a variety of relief expressions depending on the needs of a particular area or country.

From YWAM Harpenden (outside London) we serve the projects located in Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

From Marine Reach – YWAM located in Tauranga, New Zealand we serve the Pacific Rim Nations (Asia – Pacific)