*Preparing to Come
Travel
All volunteers fly into Port Moresby, where the ship will be docked between outreaches.
Volunteers may arrive at any time on the first date of outreach. Departure must be anytime on the final date of outreach. See below for arrival/departure dates corresponding to each outreach.
| Arrival Date | Departure Date | |
| Outreach 1 | Thursday, 9 May | Sunday, 26 May |
| Outreach 2 | Thursday, 30 May | Sunday, 16 June |
| Outreach 3 | Thursday, 20 June | Sunday, 7 July |
| Outreach 4 | Saturday, 20 July | Sunday, 28 July |
| Outreach 5 | Thursday, 1 August | Sunday, 18 August |
| Outreach 6 | Thursday, 22 August | Sunday, 8 September |
| Outreach 7 | Thursday, 12 September | Sunday, 29 September |
Airlines that fly to Port Moresby are: Virgin Blue, Qantas, Airlines PNG, and Air Niugini. To find flights, you can search online or contact a travel agent.
Courtesy Pick Ups
Airport pick-up and drop-off is included in the outreach fees. . The person picking you up will be wearing a YWAM Medical Ships shirt and holding a YWAM Medical Ships sign.
Passport
It is usual for travel that your passport must be valid for six months beyond your expected date of return to your home country.
Visas
Further instructions regarding visas will be given once you have been offered a place on one of the outreaches.
Insurance
Outreach fees include travel insurance. For more information contact YWAM Medical Ships Australia.
Phone and Internet Access
Mobile phone reception is available in Port Moresby and some areas of the Gulf and Western Province of PNG. Availability should not be relied on. Internet access is very limited in rural PNG. Volunteers may access it in some areas on their personal mobile phone, although this can be quite expensive.
Climate
Papua New Guinea is considered tropical (warm to hot and humid). Each province experiences a rainy season in the summer months, which can vary from province to province. The country is at its driest from May to December. See the graph below for an idea of the average temperatures in the Gulf and Western Province region throughout the year.
Luggage
Storage space on board is limited. Please pack using a collapsible bag rather than a suitcase.
Accommodation
On board the ship, you will be in tight living conditions. Each person will have a numbered locker assigned to them with the same number bunk.
On one side of the locker there is a space ten centimetres wide hanging space and four shelves. The overall dimensions are: 34cm (13.5″) wide x 57cm (22.5″) deep x 86cm (34″) high.
*What to Pack
Clothing
Two YWAM Medical Ships shirts will be provided for each volunteer. These are the clinic uniform and will be worn during any official team activities.
- Casual clothing is appropriate for most occasions
- Pale/light colours and long sleeves are recommended during the evening (mosquitos are drawn to dark colours)
- Lightweight materials (suitable for the hot and humid weather of PNG)
- A sweater is recommended (air conditioning on board can be quite cool)
Women are asked to dress modestly to maintain cultural sensitivity – loose fitting clothing that covers the knees and shoulders must be worn. People from many nations volunteer with YWAM MSA, so these guidelines are relative for both off and on board the ship.
Swimming
Men are to wear shorts. Women must wear long shorts and loose-fitting shirts over their bathers.
Church and other Village Ceremonies
Men usually wear buttoned, collared shirts and long pants. Women usually wear long skirts and loose fitting shirts.
Celebration Dinner
This even formally concludes the outreach. Feel free to bring a smart outfit or dress for the occasion. women please maintain the dress standards to honour other cultures present.
Footwear
Flip-flops/thongs are appropriate for the hot weather. The ship is docked in an industrial area when in Port Moresby; all volunteers are required to wear a pair of closed-toed shoes upon arrival. Reef shoes are recommended for wet landings and walking through the mud.
Bedding
YWAM MSA provides a pillow, pillow case and bottom sheet for each person. Please bring a sheet, sleeping bag or blanket – the accommodation area on board is air conditioned throughout the night.
Other Recommended Items
- Sun hat (wide brim)
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- Towel
- Insect repellent (25% DEET for malaria prevention is recommended)
- Sunscreen lotion(SPF 30 is recommended)
- Sea-sickness medication (supply for two x 24 hour sails)
- Light rain jacket
Resources and Facilitates
The YWAM Medical Ship is a old Japanese fishing boat that has been transformed into a floating hospital. It has a berth of 50 people on board, with a fully operational operating clinic, as well as all other community facilities.
Laundry
Personal laundry is limited to one load per person per week. However, clothes worn during clinics are washed each evening. Laundray power is available on board.
Voltage
There are some 220V sockets and some 110V sockets on board for charging batteries and phones. Due to limited supply of electricity on board, we ask that you do not bring hair dryers, straightening irons or curling irons with you on outreach.