Grand old ferry MV Lady Wakehurst takes medical aid to the Solomon islands

Former Sydney Ferry MV Lady Wakehurst reborn for mission to The Solomon Islands.

Friday July 8, 2011. Sydney Australia. Guy Bailey and the team from Baileys Marine White Bay 6 recently housed the former Sydney Ferry MV Lady Wakehurst as she was refitted as a hospital ship en route to the Solomon Islands.

Baileys Marine White Bay 6 provided berthing and fuel along with a number of other sponsors who offered medical equipment. St Vincents Hospital and the Duke of Edinburgh Association, along with the boats owners, fitted her out with a whole range of medical supplies to help our northerly partner.

MV Lady Wakehurst, a 530 GRT high capacity purpose built commuter ferry, is heading for a new life in the Solomon Islands after a long and distinguished career having worked in Hobart, Auckland and then Sydney both as a Manly Ferry for 9 years, and as an inner and middle harbour ferry.

Solomon Islands is a developing country that, according to the ferry’s owners deserve better. The conditions of some of the boats there are not good at all; freight and produce even share space with people heading to and from work. The safety aspect was the initial driver behind the idea to take a Sydney Ferry to Solomon Islands, but it has grown from there. Medical facilities and supplies in Solomon Islands are also in need.

With the medical background of the owners, it has grown into an aid ship with the recent loading of four electric hospital beds, two anaesthetic machines and four hundred pair of crutches, all bound for the National Referral Hospital in Honiara on behalf of the Orthopaedic Outreach Centre. The Duke of Edinburgh Association have also loaded sixty boxes of medical aid for various hospitals there and wheelchairs for use on the ferry with her disabled access toilets. Thanks to Baileys Marine, the grand old lady had a berth while her renovations and medical cargo were loaded, with Guy and the team also providing fuel for the journey.

In the days prior to her departure a Cat Scan machine and other medical equipment from St Vincents Hospital in Sydney was also loaded for the trip. “This is an exciting time for us, we are looking forward to helping passengers and patients in the Solomon Islands, and this comes with thanks to Bailey’s and all of our supporters to help make this happen.” The Owners and Crew of MV Lady Wakehurst.

The MV Lady Wakehurst recently arrived in the Solomon Islands, starting another stage in distinguished career of this grand old lady.