THE WARD OF a medical missionary ship is open to needy patients again thanks to a small army of volunteers who gave up their vacations to help keep the vessel afloat.

Eye and facial surgeries are being performed, and dental and health care clinics run daily, in Cotonou, Benin after scores of supporters of the internationally known Mercy Ships ministry rolled up their sleeves to ensure the visit was not delayed or canceled.

The Anastasis' current five-month stay in the West African country began right on schedule after 100 people from seven countries responded to an urgent appeal for help in completing vital upgrading work.

Final installation of a new $250,000 fire and safety system work was finished in a race against time while the 11,700-ton former cruise liner - now fitted with operating rooms and a small ward - was in Rotterdam shipyard, Holland. The ship was not allowed to sail again until the work had been finished and approved by inspectors.

Although goodwill visits to two European ports had to be canceled to allow extra time to complete the work, the flagship of the three-strong Mercy Ships fleet was eventually only 24 hours late in departing for her latest outreach.

Work on the improvements - required by new international safety standards - began in 1995, but was completed during an intensive 13 weeks' work in Rotterdam last year. The project involved installing 800 new smoke detectors and laying around 12 miles of cable, and clocked up around 10,000 man hours' work.

"It was a major undertaking, and only completed in time because of the help we received from so many people," said marine superintendent Jim Paterson. A similar upgrade on a larger, commercial ship employed three shifts a day of 700 workers each for three straight weeks, he said.

Since arriving in Cotonou, the Anastasis has been busy again running free clinics and surgeries. The ship is due to remain in the country until April.

With the Anastasis afloat once more, Mercy Ships is now appealing for help to get one of her sister ships, the Caribbean Mercy, back to sea. The 2,125-ton ship is fitted with an on-board eye surgery and sails throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean.

She arrives in San Diego, California this month to have new generators fitted during a projected ten-week stay. "We have some volunteers already, but could use more welders, electricians, mechanics, riggers and helps for each," said Paterson. Volunteers are asked to contact Mercy Ships at: 800 772 SHIP.

Founded in 1978 as the maritime division of Youth With A Mission, Mercy Ships has since completed outreaches in more than 60 port districts around the world.

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