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First AIDA Volunteer on Board the Africa Mercy

Engineer Tomislav Zubovic joins thecrew to help and support Mercy Ships in West Africa

Mercy Ships and AIDA have reached a key milestone intheir recently announced cooperation by kicking-off a joint volunteer program foremployees and crew who will from now on provide practical help on board. For atotal of four months, the first AIDA volunteer Tomislav Zubovic will serve asan engineer on board the Africa Mercy to support the ship's staff and pass onhis seafaring experiences.

Michael Thamm, Group CEO Costa Group & CarnivalAsia, is thrilled about the quick results that follow the signing of amemorandum of understanding in March 2017: "The collaboration with Mercy Shipsenables us to support the people who need it most. As this reflects our keyvalues, our crews are very much looking forward to becoming active and givingback to society. I am proud of the overwhelming resonance of our employees."

The Africa Mercy is the largest non-governmentalhospital ship in the world and provides free surgeries and dental care topatients with urgent medical needs. It hosts over 400 volunteers from more than40 nations. AIDA Cruises has committed to continuously man one Engineerposition on board.

"Tomislav Zubovic and future volunteers will not onlylend a helping hand but will also share their knowledge with the othervolunteers on board. This way, we can ensure to provide sustainable benefitsbeyond this program", explains Michael Thamm.

28-year old Zubovic holds a degree in MarineEngineering and has already worked on different AIDA ships, such as AIDAsol andAIDAluna. "I am very excited about this challenge", says Zubovic. "We are trulymaking a difference here and I am looking forward to help operate this shipthat gives hope to so many people."

The volunteer program is only one of severalactivities AIDA Cruises and Mercy Ships agreed on in their partnership. The Rostock-basedcruise company will furthermore sensitize guests travelling on board the AIDAfleet for Mercy Ships and its activities. Additionally, officers and engineerswith Mercy Ships have the opportunity to gain sea-service experience andnautical expertise on board AIDA ships. To grant immediate help, Costa Group, whichincludes AIDA Cruises, has also made a donation of 100.000 euros.

The Africa Mercy is operated by the charityorganization Mercy Ships and is about to set course to Douala, Cameroon inAugust 2017. The former capital is the country's biggest city and home to WestAfrica's largest port. Quality of healthcare in Cameroon is still relativelylow and average life expectancy is only 56 years[1]. The country however enjoys relatively high politicaland social stability which facilitated the development of agriculture, roads,railways, and various industries.

Mercy Ships

Mercy Shipsuses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacitybuilding and sustainable development to those with little access in thedeveloping world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships hasworked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1.3billion, treating more than 2.56 million direct beneficiaries. The Africa Mercyis crewed by 400 volunteers from up to 40 nations, an average of 1000 eachyear. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, healthcare trainers,teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time andskills to the effort. With offices in 16 nations, Mercy Ships seeks totransform individuals and serve nations one at a time. For more information click on www.mercyships.org.