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USNS Mercy (T-AH-19)

1986 COLD WAR MODERN NAVY

History

The USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) is one of two Mercy-class full-service military hospital ships in service with the United States Navy (USN). The vessel was laid on June 12, 1979 as SS Worth (MA-299) - a San Clemente super tanker - and launched in San Diego waters on July 1, 1975. She was commissioned by USN on November 8, 1986, and continues to operate as a hospital in San Diego, California.

If no formal action is requested, she will be assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego.

Despite military affiliations, the USNS Mercy is a non-commissioning ship. Her sister is USNS Comfort (T-AH-20), which is described elsewhere on this page. Both ships are unarmed according to the Geneva Conventions, but can carry survival defenses.

The ship has a displacement of 65,552 tons, an overall length of 894 feet and a beam of 106 feet - its barrel length is only matched by the large fleet of aircraft carriers operating in the United States - namely the Nimitz and Gerald De R. Ford class. Propulsion comes from 2 boiler units giving 24,500 hp to two GE turbines driving 2 shafts under the stern.

The boat can go at 17 knots.

USNA Mercy can support up to 1,214 military personnel and 61 civilian personnel when forced into combat operations - although the reduced operational status (ROS) staff includes 58 military personnel and 12 civilian personnel. The shipboard facility can support land-offshore operations for all U.S. services, including amphibious assault, and the USNS Mercy can also participate in humanitarian operations as needed. Specialists have access to life-saving equipment (radiology, pharmacy, optometry, blood bank, dental, laboratory) and consumables, and provide a full range of services from first aid to intensive surgery when needed.

Up to 80 beds serve the intensive care unit, and an additional 20 beds are used for rehabilitation. A total of 1,000 beds are available for medical staff on board.

USNS Mercy has been operating since 1986 and has been involved in major operations since 1987, including Operation Desert Storm (1991), Typhoon Haiyan (2013), Pacific Rim 2014 and - most recently - the response to the COVID-19 outbreak International response to the 19 virus. For the foreseeable future (March 2020), she is required to be stationed off the coast of Seattle, Washington.