A Sea Mercy vessel in the Pacific Islands.

The Sea Mercy charity – a floating health care service that routinely visits remote islands throughout the Pacific will visit Tonga’s Ha’apai Group to offer medical support earlier than usual this year.

Sea Mercy provides free critical care services using trained health volunteers, as well as more day-to-day medical, dental care and eye care services.

The floating health care service was set up by American philanthropists Richard and Stephanie Hackett, and its Tonga visits are supported by the Scenic Hotel Tonga.

Lani Hagaman, the executive director of the Scenic Hotel Group, said in a statement that they would give financial support to the emergency medical assistance in Ha‘apai, following widespread devastation during Cyclone Ian on January 11.

“Sea Mercy vessels were in Fiji until regular operations begin in April but the additional funding means assistance will reach the Tonga’s outer islands more than two months earlier than scheduled,” she stated.

The logistics of getting assistance to many of the islands of northern Tonga has meant urgent health care has been unavailable or slow in coming, Lani said.  “…the outer islands are in desperate need of special medical care.”

“We already work with Sea Mercy, providing accommodation to medical staff who volunteer on their vessels, and will be increasing our engagement later this year with support for eye care services. When we were asked for additional support that would have a real impact for the people of Tonga, we were happy to oblige.”

Lani said that with Pangai hardest hit, Sea Mercy vessels may be required to operate from Neiafu. The free tasks performed for the Tonga Ministry of Health would include:

1. Sail health ministry staff and medical supplies to the remote islands in need;
2. Deliver emergency food, water and supplies to remote island citizens that no longer have a working infrastructure or access to such services;
3. Shuttle extreme victims and family to closest hospitals for emergency care;
4. Feed and house Tongan health ministry officials during their times on the Sea Mercy vessels;
5. Produce and deliver emergency water as needed (via onboard water-makers) to the remote island citizens.

The new date of arrival of the Sea Mercy has yet to be confirmed.