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US floating hospital anchors in Ambon Bay
United States Navy hospital ship the USNS Mercy arrived in Ambon on Monday to participate in the Sail Banda festival and to offer medical attention to local communities
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nited States Navy hospital ship the USNS Mercy arrived in Ambon on Monday to participate in the Sail Banda festival and to offer medical attention to local communities.
The 273-meter vessel, carrying 956 US armed forces members, is on a mission to provide free medical services, including surgical operations, as part of the Surya Baskara Jaya Operation, which is part of the ongoing Sail Banda event in Maluku.
The Singaporean Navy’s RSS Endeavor also docked at Yos Soedarso Port in Ambon. President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to visit the USNS Mercy, which has anchored in Ambon Bay, on Aug. 4.
Sail Banda local organizing committee member Izack Saimima said that besides conducting operations in a number of locations in Maluku, a marching band from the USNS Mercy was scheduled to join a parade at the World Peace Monument in Ambon on Wednesday.
The residents are ready to warmly welcome the marching band, he said, adding that they would be allowed to board the hospital ship for a tour.
Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand will also send medical vessels and medical teams to the event.
“The Sail Banda event is aimed at promoting marine tourism and at the same time convincing the international community that Maluku is safe beyond doubt,” he said.
Ambon Port administrator Benny Tangkuman said loading and unloading at the port would be suspended three days before and after the Sail Banda event, scheduled to be attended by the President on Aug. 3.
The event kicked off on Saturday with a yacht race from Darwin, Australia, to Ambon.
