Captain Schierer sets sail on mercy mission

By Jo-Marie Baker
Captain Jeremy Schierer has only sailed the Pacific Link 300m in the past four months.
But this Saturday he will lead 48 people on a medical mission to some of Fiji's most remote villages.
The vessel, owned by Christian-based organisation Marine Reach, has been berthed alongside Tauranga's Harbour Bridge since December and hasn't been on an overseas mission since 2005.
"We travelled about 300m from the slipway to here a few months ago," Captain Schierer said, laughing. "Every now and then you turn the engines over just to make sure they still work. I'm definitely looking forward to getting the ship out there and seeing it in use."
Marine Reach was founded in Tauranga in 1990 and is now an international organisation providing dental, medical and optical services.
Captain Schierer's ship serves needy communities in the Pacific.
Students train to become missionaries on board the Pacific Link and they, alongside medical professionals, then undertake projects overseas to help those less fortunate.
In Fiji, the team will be joined by other church-based groups to help re-paint buildings, provide clean water, build bridges and pathways, as well as medically treat those who need it.
The Pacific Link has its own operating theatre on board but few of the home comforts most of us would take for granted.
"It was originally designed as a Japanese fishing boat so it's designed for Japanese-sized people," Captain Schierer explained. His room is the largest private space on board - but is just 4m by 3m wide with a very low ceiling.
Tiny bunk beds are stacked one on top of the other below deck and a kitchen not much bigger than that found in a family home provides meals in two sittings to fit everyone in.
"It's not too bad," Captain Schierer said. "We've been living alongside the dock so much that you can usually walk outside if you need some space."
The Texas-born Captain said everyone aboard the ship was a volunteer and in fact each paid $75 per week towards the upkeep of the vessel.
"One of the things that makes it work is the fact that everybody is on board because they want to be. No-one's here just because it's just a job."
The 32-year-old first joined Marine Reach in 2001 and became captain in August 2005. "This has been my home long enough that I'm as happy here as anywhere."
He said the work was very rewarding and has a huge impact on the communities the ship visits.
Since its inception Marine Reach has treated more than 185,000 people free and this year's goal was to help a further 25,000 people.
This Saturday the ship will launch at 2pm amid balloons and festivities at a community event in Pilot Bay and everyone is welcome to visit the ship.
Donations of old glasses would also be gratefully received to help improve the vision of Fijian people.
Since 1990, 2200 cataract operations (worth $6.5 million) 36,000 dental procedures ($3.5m) 79,000 pairs of glasses ( ($23m) 65,000 private health care treatments ($2.3m) and $8m worth of medical supplies have been provided by Marine Reach
For more information go to www.marinereach.com