Our History

YWAM MS first started working in PNG in 2010 with our first ship, the MV Pacific Link (Japanese fishing vessel built in 1979). It soon became obvious that the vessel was too small for the task set before it and that a larger ship with greater capacity to support PNG’s health system was needed.

In 2014, after a miraculous fundraising campaign ($5.5 million AUD raised in five months!) we acquired the MV YWAM PNG, a small cruise liner built in 1999 by Austal. The vessel was refitted into a training and medical ship after a series of developments, equipped with a dental clinic, day procedure unit, laboratory, four patrol tenders, and accommodation for 130 volunteers. The vessel was registered as a health facility in PNG, acting as a mother ship to support multiple teams working ashore simultaneously.

In this way, the MV YWAM PNG was an innovative tool shared with provincial and district health teams to deliver healthcare services, supplies, and support to rural health workers.

With PNG’s 291 inhabited islands, 5,000 km of coastline, and multiple river systems, it’s become increasingly evident that one ship is not enough. After years of discussion and consultation with key stakeholders, we are actively seeking to transition to multiple, smaller vessels in the nation.

Take a Tour

Join us for a tour of the MV YWAM PNG!