OM MINISTRY SHIP TO END SERVICE
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009

Operation Mobilisation has announced the decommissioning of its ministry ship, "Doulous" at the end of this year.

OM said the news was "unexpected" but the followed surveys by the ship's classification society RINA " found the structure in need of "significant" additional work before its certificates could be renewed. Its current certificates are due to expire at the end of 2009.

The amount of work needed to bring the vessel up to RINA's standards was estimated at around £10 million.

OM said it was unwilling to invest that amount of money in a ship that is already 95 years old - the oldest ocean-going passenger vessel still in operation in the world.

The ship was first launched in 1914 as "Medina" before it came into the hands of OM in 1977, when it was fitted up for Christian mission service and renamed "Doulos", the Greek word for servant.

Since then, the ship has been used to bring the message of the Gospel and educational resources to more than one hundred countries. It will end service on December 31.

The 300-strong crew is made up entirely of volunteers from more than 40 countries. The head of OM Ships International, Peter Nicoll, said his immediate priority was to resettle the crew members.

OM's other ministry ship "Logos Hop", which was launched earlier this year, continues to draw huge crowds in the Caribbean.
OM said it "remained committed to operating a two-ship ministry" and is looking into the short-term hire of another vessel while a replacement for "Doulos" is sought.

Mr Nicoll asked supporters of OM Ships to pray for Doulos' replacement.

OM is taking donations towards Doulos' replacement at www.omships.org/donate. Donations should be marked 'Doulos Project'.

Charlie Boyd
Christian Today Reporter

*****************************

Doulos to lift her gangways for the last time

Doulos is the world's oldest ocean-going passenger ship at 95 years old, with the hull built in 1914, just two years after the Titanic. In spite of the all year round maintenance that has taken place, the amount of steel replacement and other repairs needed for her to continue sailing are overwhelming.

Therefore when Doulos opens to the public at Vivo City from 15-26 December 2009, it will mark the end of a remarkable career for a historic vessel with a unique purpose.

Everyone is welcome to visit and meet the international crew, experience the different cultures onboard, and discover the wide range of English books which are all on sale, discounted by 25% - 75%. Everything must go! The ship will be located at Vivo City, Harbour Front.

*********************

Pastor was with OM from 1974-75, sailing on the "M/V Logos" and serving in one of the land teams in India.