Doulos Ends Its Operations This Year

Doulos Decommissioning  

Questions and Answers

20 November 2009

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What has happened?

While Doulos has been undergoing her annual period of dry dock and maintenance in Singapore, the ship’s classification society (RINA) has been conducting a ‘special survey’ of the ship’s structure, machinery and systems, which takes place every five years. This survey has identified a significant number of additional works to be completed. No extension of time has been given to do this work while the ship continues to operate.

What does this mean?

The additional work would have to start right away, since the surveyors have confirmed that they will not issue new certificates for the ship until this work has been completed. The present certificates run out on Dec 31, 2009.

How much work would have to be done, how long would it take, and how much would it cost?

Quite a number of work projects have been identified, but the primary one is replacing sections of steel on the main deck. An initial quote has been received from the shipyard in Singapore where Doulos has been in dry dock. This, together with other additional costs, would be well over €10 million. The work would take at least five months and, because of other commitments, this yard could not even start the work until September 2010. 

Why can you not do the works needed?  

The OM Ships executive leadership team and board believes that it is not appropriate to invest resources of this scale into the ship, since Doulos would have a limited ministry future.

Is this a surprise or did you see this coming?

Yes, this is a surprise. We expected that the ship would be able to sail until at least September 2010, with the hope for longer. Out technical team has been working towards this five-year ‘special survey’ for some time. The ship has passed many such inspections, but work to keep the ship compliant with marine regulations is continual. Additionally, a new set of ‘Safety of Life at Sea’ (SOLAS) regulations applying to all passenger ships with more than 36 passengers is due to come into effect in October 2010. Meeting these new requirements would have meant huge investment in the ship to remove all remaining non-fireproof construction materials.

What events led up to this point?

Earlier this year, we reached agreement with the Malta Maritime Authority that we could add our ‘staff’ to the official ‘crew list’, and change the ship’s ‘class’ to that of a passenger ship with fewer than 36 passengers. This would have allowed the ship to continue to sail beyond October 2010. Our technical personnel then commissioned a comprehensive assessment of the ship’s construction to see what work would be needed to sail the ship beyond that date. This revealed significant work needing to be done in a number of areas, including replacement of steel in sections of the ship’s main deck. The surveys in Singapore have confirmed this, and early indications were that the ship would be able to sail until the end of September 2010, as long as conditions would be met. It is only in the last week that it has become clear what these conditions are.

Does OM Ships have a contingency plan for this?

Work had been going on for many months to identify the issues and establish the options for the ship not being able to sail beyond September 2010. Things have moved very quickly now and we are responding to the reality that the ship will need to be decommissioned much sooner than anyone expected. Initial plans are coming together and these will continue to be developed and implemented over the coming days and weeks.

What are the next steps?

The people on board are our top priority and our personnel team is already responding to manage the issues and help people work out their next steps.

We want to communicate as clearly as possible and provide regular communication updates as new information becomes available.

Our technical team is working with the marine authorities and making plans to decommission the vessel.

We are looking at the possibility of chartering a ship in the interim.

What will happen to Doulos now?

The ship will remain in Singapore, alongside and/or at anchor until the end of December. Meanwhile, a group will investigate possible options for the vessel, including discussion with ship preservation groups, since Doulos is unique and registered in the Guinness Book of Records as ‘the world’s oldest ocean-going passenger ship’.

What will happen to the ship after Dec 31?

Options include changing the vessel class and obtaining a single voyage certificate for a smaller group of essential crew to sail the ship to a port for handover to a new owner.

What about all those on board and how many are they?

There are around 300 people on board at this point, including singles, couples and families. Our Personnel team on board intends to interview every individual on board over the next weeks, and look together with them at the best options for them. We are also appointing pastoral support to deal with the emotional issues that many of them will be facing. At this stage the future options could include a number of different scenarios such as relocating to a chartered vessel as an interim replacement forDoulos, relocating to another OM field, or returning home.

Who should family members and representatives of sending churches be in touch with?

First and foremost with their relative or church member on board directly, but also with the OM office in their country.

What about the future ports on the schedule?

All future ports on the schedule will have to be cancelled. The team responsible for schedule planning and port preparations will be in communication with government authorities and other partners in these ports. Line-up teams already in place will bring their work to a close and leave.

What about friends, family who were planning to visit the ship in one of those ports?

Planned visits to the ship in these ports will no longer be possible and we regret these visits will have to be cancelled. Due to the uncertainty of the ship’s location and whether access for visitors will be possible, we would advise against making plans to travel to the ship in Singapore. Staying on board will not be possible.

Where can I get regular up-dates and information about next steps?

Regular updates will be sent out by e-mail. Additionally, news will be posted to www.omships.org. More detailed information will be available at www.omships.org/doulosupdates and we encourage you to visit this special section of the site frequently. Please also contact your local OM office for help and advice.

How can I/we help you financially?

If you would like to give to help the ministry through these very challenging times, please contact your local OM office, or give online. Visit the OM website in your country or www.omships.org/donate. Please designate your gift as ‘Doulos Project’. Thank you for your generosity and partnership.

Will OM replace Doulos?

The board has expressed their commitment to continuing to operate two ships. Initial work was already under way to consider options for replacing Doulos, believing that the ship would not be able to sail for many more years. The executive leadership team and the board are considering all interim and longer-term options to continue as a two-ship ministry into the future, in close co-operation with our OM partners around the world.

Who should I ask if I have a question? 

There are many unanswered questions right now. For parents, crew and staff, home offices, sending churches, partners, supporters etc, we have set up a special email account at: personnelquestions@doulos.om.org for questions and to ask for advice.

Where is our faith in all of this?  

Although the sudden end of the Doulos ministry has come as a surprise to us, we know that God is in control. We would ask our partners around the world to pray with us as we seek His plan for the future. We are confident of the Lord’s sovereignty and grace at this time.

OM Ships International – bringing knowledge, help and hope

E-mail: info@omships.org                    Internet: www.omships.org

Thanks for Praying for the TV Interview

I hope you guys didn't blink. I left Maubeuge on the 6:45am train and arrived at Belfort 7 hours later (2pm). The TV team was very warm and welcoming. It was good fun. I hope you didn't blink when you were praying, because the interview felt very short. 15 minutes went by in a flash. I didn't get to say everything I'd hoped to say. I didn't mention very clearly the needs of the Logos Hope, nor did the journalist ask a question about OM in general (and I didn't get to tell him).

I don't think I was too camera shy (thanks for praying). But the stress did definitely muddle my mind as I tried to answer the questions! It will be at least a month before the interview is released. I'll keep you informed as soon as I know more. It will appear on TBN Europe at least twice with English subtitles. I'll make sure to tell you what time. The version without subtitles will be on the TV channel's website, but in either case, you'll have to wait at least a month.

If you have any other questions, just post a comment and let everyone profit from the answer.

May God be made to look great (as he truly is) in our lives.

PS: Sorry for not having any photos. I brought my camera and forgot to have someone take photos.

Frenchmen in Exile on a Ship

As much as people hate us, you've got to admit that its because deep down, everyone thinks French people are some of the nicest people around. So if you want a taste of the Logos Hope with a French zang, you can follow my brother Jérémie as he discovers life onboard Logos Hope. Having been on Doulos myself, I listen with fond nostalgia to his stories, his thoughts and his discoveries. What's more, he's finally gotten around to posting photos. For some reason, he chose black and white (very artsy), but they're still photos.

We also have friends from a sister church that have been onboard since September 2008. Their blog is also worth reading. A lot more photos there!

50 Remarkable Sermons by Charles H. Spurgeon

While attending a gathering in Switzerland, I visited their second hand book section. I found it rather interesting, although it contained no French books worth reading. Instead, I found old books from authors that have gone to be with Jesus, many years ago.

In the end, I only bought one book (because I'd come by train), but I think it is a rare find, a treasure. A collection of 50 Remarkable Sermons by Charles Spurgeon, printed in 1908. I bought a hundred year-old book of Spurgeon for just over a dollar! I love second-hand books!

As I glanced through the book, I found a wonderful sermon. I'd been longing to read it again, ever since a friend onboard the Doulos read it out loud to me in his Irish accent. The title of the sermon is: High Doctrine and Broad Doctrine (sermon #1762 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle). It is a gem of Bible exposition. To hear the scriptures preached with such force and beauty was a memorable occasion. You'd have to read it for yourself, but until you find the book, you can read the Bible and be amazed for yourself.

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me ; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 6:37 (KJV as quoted in High Doctrine and Broad Doctrine)

A good weekend to all. Enjoy the extra free time to read your Bibles and be with God!

Who is Jérémie K?

For those of you who have asked me, "who is Jérémie?" I thought I should explain as I'll be keeping tabs on him over the next two years. Jérémie K is my little brother. He's just joined OM onboard their new ship, the Logos Hope.

I guess he liked what he heard from my three years onboard the Doulos, but didn't want to join the same ship as his big brother! :-)

A Few Photos From My Italian Weekend

As you probably know, I flew to Italy last weekend to visit friends from the Doulos. We spent three years together onboard and had a great time meeting up, talking, laughing and encouraging one another. If you want to have a look at the photos, you can just go see the Facebook album.

What Am I Doing You Ask? Ask No More!

Upon arrival in France (July 15th), I was convinced I would be in the USA by January 2009 to study in a Bible School. Funny how things can change so quickly. I still love the Bible. I cannot believe that I've not taken the time earlier to know this book God gave.

But as I began to enquire about applying to Wheaton College, I was informed that I would not be able to apply for a January semester as I didn't have any transfer credits. I would have to wait until the August semester. Moody Bible Institute had already accepted me, but I hadn't paid my earnest money, so couldn't just show up. They also require transfer credits to join in January.

So I decided to take a two year diploma here in France. The course is well appreciated by companies and is pretty much just what I've been doing on Line Up with the Doulos... So yup, the studies are pretty easy so far. They take six months to teach what OM does in 2 weeks! :-)

So it is no surprise that I was relieved to be able to take the class while being interned with a company. I applied with BLF Europe (I know I know, my dad works there too), a small French Christian publishing company. I'm back in the book world and am loving it!

Praise God for Ryan Air!

Ryan Air is this low cost airline that has revolutionized they way we live, travel, date and fall in love. A friend of my mine, upon hearing that I was considering a long-distance relationship, had only one question for my attention, "Ryan Air! Does Ryan Air fly there?"

One of my best friends is flying in today from Dublin. It will be good to see him again for the weekend. We first met onboard the Doulos where we were on the same work team for 6 months. With a few other guys we began meeting together on a near daily basis to start of the day with prayer, encouragement and Bible reading.

He left the ship about two years before I did, but he's done a good job calling up every holiday to talk about life. Each time, we've reconnected nearly instantly. I'm grateful to God for the gift of friendship. May it continue this time around.

For those of you reading this that feel you don't have that kind of friendship, pray and ask God, who loves to care for His children. Then live a life as transparent as possible, allowing people to see your strengths, weaknesses and failings. That is good soil for friendships to take root.

Translation Anyone?

I'm finding life in France quite busy. For those who've been trying to keep tabs on what I'm doing, you've certainly realized that blogging is not the solution for me.

One big problem is that I can't be bothered to keep both my English and French blogs updated. And since my French skills have decreased considerably during my three year stint with Doulos, I've been trying to write a lot in French. So for you out there that would like to know what is going on here in northern France, I suggest you check out my French blog. I've just set up a little translation gadget that allows you to understand what I'm talking about without any of the beauty of the language. Isn't that a bargain? :-)

This doesn't mean the English version of my blog is dead. It is certainly on hold until I get my life under control here in Old Europe. I miss the settled life of Doulos!