Medics soon at work as Peace Ark sails in

Regaining my sea legs

This is my second voyage on the Peace Ark. When I left after about two-thirds of the hospital ship's 118-day medical services voyage, I didn't expect to be back on board so soon.

The frequency of the ship's deployment indicates the important role it plays in providing international humanitarian services.

After my previous few months on the ship, everything was familiar and it was a joy to meet some old friends; the seagulls, the flying fish, the delicious military chocolate bars.

On this voyage, we have the same food, the same crew, the same cabins. The only difference is that the weather is much worse.

The fierce waves we encountered on our voyage to the Philippines were a world away from the balmy waters I experienced in the Gulf of Aden. In order to get to the disaster area as quickly as possible, the ship cut though the heavy swells at full speed and it was impossible to stand on the heaving deck without holding the handrail tightly.

I had to tie myself to the bunk bed after almost being thrown to the floor during the night; why don't beds come equipped with safety belts? The toilets could use them as well.

As we drew closer to the tropics, the weather became warm and humid and the medical staff began to prepare to begin their relief work. Many of them suffered seasickness and during briefings it was not uncommon to see someone bolt out of the room, heading for the latrines.

One nurse told me she had been so busy preparing medicines and materials that she barely had time to sleep during the voyage. "We put in a lot of effort to get here so quickly," she said. "I really hope our efforts will help people in the disaster area."

Peng Yining