The USNS Mercy

While we were touring the USS Missouri we were on the 5th deck and we noticed the USNS Mercy Hospital ship was coming into port.  It was really a sight to see especially on Memorial Day.  The ship is huge and since it was coming into port the entire crew stands at attention on deck while sailing in port and docking.  The USNS Mercy is the lead ship in its class of hospital ships in the US Navy.  It was named for the virtue of compassion.  In accordance with the Geneva Convention the Mercy and the crew do not carry any offensive weapons but defensive weapons are available.  Firing on the Mercy would be considered a war crime. 
The Mercy was originally built as an oil tanker, the SS Worth, in 1976.  In 1984 the SS Worth was renamed and converted to a hospital ship and was commissioned in Nov 1986 at the USNS Mercy.  It is the second largest ship in the US Navy fleet by length surpassed only by the nuclear powered Nimitz.  The Mercy's primary mission is to provide rapid, flexible and mobile acute medical and surgical services and support to the Marine Corp, Army and Air Force troops deployed ashore and Naval amphibious task forces and battle forces afloat.  It also provides medical services for the US Government during disasters or humanitarian relief.  It is based out of the San Diego Naval Station and supports the Naval Hospital while at port. 
It was an added bonus to watch the Mercy come into port, especially while we were on the deck of the USS Missouri.  We enjoyed touring the USS Missouri and highly recommend it while on Oahu.