Maintenance Carpenter

Maritime
Min 3 Months
As a mariner on board a hospital ship, you help guide and maintain the vessel. Your hands-on work with the ship ensures smooth sailing to bring hope and healing.

Driven to provide hope & healing.

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role

The Maintenance Carpenter is responsible for assisting in general repair and renovation of ship spaces and equipment. Working out of a dedicated workshop, the Maintenance Carpenter responds to work requests as well as tasks assigned by the Chief Officer, primarily working on safety issues, and occasionally working on special projects bringing a lot of job satisfaction!

Requirements

Each role with Mercy Ships calls for a unique blend of experience, skills, and qualifications. The info below outlines what’s needed to serve effectively in this position—to meet operational standards and to help you thrive as part of the team.

Commitment Min 3 Months

What You Will Contribute

Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (QHSE)

  • Knowledge of the Company Safety Management System as it applies to responsibilities involved in this position
  • Follow all standing, general, and night orders given by the Master, as well as all international maritime regulations
  • Emergency duties as assigned according to the posted Muster Lists


Technical

  • General repairs of vessel’s accommodation including carpentry, flooring, and furnishings work
  • Maintain the Carpentry shop and associated equipment
  • Assist in the mooring of the ship as requested


Mission Support

  • Share in the support and furtherance of the Christian community through lifestyle and exhortation
  • Serve the crew at large by staying visible and interactive

What You Will Need

STCW Certifications

  • Certificate of Proficiency in accordance with STCW VI/1 Basic Training
  • Certificate of Proficiency in accordance with STCW VI/6-1 Security Awareness
  • Certificate of Examination in accordance with STCW I/9 Medical Fitness and Minimum In-Service Eyesight


Mission and Community

  • Supportive of Mercy Ships mission and vision and committed to its core values
  • Able to live in and contribute to community life, requiring stable and healthy interpersonal skills


Administrative

  • Competent in Windows, Microsoft Office Programs, and general file/folder management tasks
  • Ability to communicate proficiently in English in both written and verbal forms
Education and Experience
  • Successful completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding Program for commitments longer than 1 year
  • Experience as a finish carpenter, general carpenter, or handyman work
  • Experience in the use of various carpentry/power tools

About the team

You’ll be part of the Maritime Team, a professional crew ensuring the safe operation and navigation of the ship, maintaining maritime standards, training others, and supporting the vessel’s readiness to deliver hope and healing wherever it serves.

Apply Now

Full job description available upon request.

Proceed to Application

Frequently asked questions.

We are so excited that you are interested in learning more about serving with us. These are the most common questions we receive for this department.

SCAM ALERT: Please be aware of recruitment scams. Mercy Ships will never charge any fees as a part of the recruitment process. For more info click here.

What are the medical requirements to serve with Mercy Ships?

Click here for a list of medical requirements to serve, including required immunizations.

What kinds of positions are available?
How long can I serve?
Do I need seaman’s papers to serve on board?
What kinds of certificates are required to serve in deck or engineering?
Will my service time on a Mercy Ship count toward a Merchant Marine Certificate?
Will my Navy experience benefit Mercy Ships?
Why does Mercy Ships register its ships in Malta?
With what countries does Malta hold bilateral agreements to accept mariner documentation and licensure?
Is Mercy Ships compliant with safety and environmental regulations?
How much time is spent at sea?
I’m interested in a maritime career, but I don’t have any experience. Can Mercy Ships help?
Looking for more information? View our general FAQs to learn about life on board, volunteering, and more.
General FAQs

The experience of a lifetime is calling.

More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.

At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.

Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve—and your own.

Captain Perez, Africa Mercy & Global Mercy
Rachel Lubitz, Project Assistant, Global Mercy
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Find Your Place On Board

Faith-Led Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Mercy Ships is a faith-based organization welcoming volunteers from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are committed to our mission and values. All qualified applicants will receive consideration.

Beware of Imposters: Confirm All Volunteer Communications

Volunteer opportunities and invitations to serve will always come directly from Mercy Ships’ official volunteer engagement teams. Never provide personal information to anyone without confirming their connection to Mercy Ships.

Apply Now

Full job description available upon request.

Proceed to Application
“I think you get lifelong friends in a different way than I’ve done back home. I like the variety of people, cultures, and views.”
Maria Ekstrand — Dining Room Team Leader
“The more I'm seeing peoples' lives being transformed, the more I realize this isn't me giving away two years, it's me gaining two years. For me, it's more like a gift.”
Eugene Ampadu (Videographer, Africa Mercy, Senegal.)