Hospital Ships

Not sure where I saw it (lots of dinner prep activity and it was on in the background), one of the 3 evening news I suspect, but it was a tour of one of the ships, where transfer takes place of the care from civilian to Navy (not sure i have that term correct). My point is, it was Amazing. Beautiful. Emotional. God Bless our military, first responders and healthcare. They are fighting a war....
 
At least one USMMA Engine Cadet is spending sea year time aboard the USNA Mercy. For her sake, I hope it is non-covid cases only.
 
Non Covid cases for now.

The ship can be set up for hospital bunk beds, but local officials planning to only use bottom bunks..for now.

Glad she's there.
 
One of the hallmarks of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is that Midshipmen spend 12 months undergoing rigorous experiential training at sea.

This was true during World War II, when we lost 142 cadets during Sea Year training, and it’s true for today’s Midshipmen.

One Midshipman is conducting her Sea Year training on the USNS Mercy, the hospital ship helping to take the pressure off Los Angeles hospitals. Both the Mercy and the USNS Comfort, which is now in New York, have 1,000 beds, fully stocked pharmacies and courageous, dedicated medical professionals from across the country.

Here is an update from Midshipman Ambrosia Romo, class of 2021, in her own words:

“This opportunity is entirely different from anything I’ve ever undertaken. I’ve been on tankers, as well as container vessels; but the sheer size and capacity of this ship is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. My crew is hard-working and dedicated to their mission, and they truly have helped welcome me into a diverse and unique sailing experience. It’s exciting to know that men and women are volunteering to answer the call in order to provide assistance to land-based hospitals, even if it means they’re going towards the “hot spots” during this pandemic. In a time where so many things are changing in a rapid way, I’m honored to be a part of the response to this national and worldwide emergency, even if in a small way, as a cadet. I’m glad I get to take this experience with me into the real world, as I look forward to where I will serve or sail in the near future.”

While the medical personnel are active duty Navy, the personnel commanding and crewing the vessels are civilian mariners. There are 71 merchant mariners on each ship.

Thank you for your continued support of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the Regiment of Midshipmen, and our 13,000-plus graduates who stand ready to serve our nation.
 
As of Thursday Comfort has 20 patients and Mercy has 15 and people want to know why. The reasons given are military protocol ( a list of 49 conditions that the ships will not accept ) and bureaucratic red tape. Negotiations are underway for the Javits Center, staffed by the military, to accept Covid 19 patients who then might be transferred to Comfort. Hospitals also do not have a lot of non Covid patients since their priority is virus treatment and everything else is on the back burner.
 
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