NEC NEC020513 User guide

Applications at the forefront of technology
Mercy Ships, a global charity, has operated a growing fleet of hospital ships in
developing nations since 1978. Mercy Ships has performed more than 18,000
operations such as cleft lip and palate reconstruction, cataract removal and facial
reconstruction. The charity has also treated more than 300,000 people in village
medical clinics, performed 110,000 dental treatments, trained over 5,500 community
health workers and completed more than 300 construction and agriculture projects.
Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor, mobilizing 2,400 volunteer career
and short-term crew from more than 40 nations. Mercy Ships also has a long-term
commitment to South Asia tsunami aid and development.
the challenge
The Mercy Ships fleet of floating hospitals needed an effective tool for communicating
with visiting diplomats, dignitaries, donors and new crew. For example, volunteer
short-term crew rotate onboard and off again as frequently as every two weeks. Each
time a new group arrives a crucial safety and security orientation briefing must be
given. Mercy Ships also was looking for a communications tool that would make
social events and devotional services more interesting.
Aboard the Caribbean Mercy, most of this communication takes place in the
International Lounge, the largest meeting space on the ship. The room was originally
equipped with a simple whiteboard, but according to Don Golden, IT Manager for
Mercy Ships, “We needed a more visually impactful, effective and universal way to
share our work while communicating our message. The language barrier is our
biggest challenge and we risked getting our message lost in translation.”
Mercy Ships Global Charity

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Visual Systems Division
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“The NEC projector…
allows us to really
connect with the
people we visit and
care for.”
the solution
A lightweight projector from NEC was permanently installed in the ceiling of the
lounge. The NEC projector displays bright, vivid, larger-than-life computer and
video images which command attention while effectively conveying Mercy Ships’
message. And the projector’s high-resolution capabilities, broad computer
compatibility and accurate, vibrant color display make it ideal for a wide variety of
work and social applications.
In addition, the NEC projector’s intuitive features make it easy for everyone to use.
You simply turn the projector on and instantly get a squared image. The projector’s
ease of use is ideal for Mercy Ships as their staff and volunteers are constantly
changing. And because of the NEC projector’s high brightness, closing the window
shades in the International Lounge is no longer necessary.
the benefits
Since incorporating the NEC projector, crew members now routinely use video clips
and PowerPoint presentations to describe their mission to guests. Visitors and
crew alike are inspired by dramatic “before and after” photos of patients treated
onboard. Safety and security orientation for rotating crew also has become more
consistent through the use of universal symbols and video to demonstrate the rules
and procedures of shipboard life. In addition, the NEC projector displays the words
to songs and prayers during daily morning devotions, and also helps the staff
create stronger bonds through social activities like movie night, which helps
everyone unwind after a long day.
“The NEC projector enables us to show images that are powerful and moving. It
allows us to really connect with the people we visit and care for and offers a dramatic
way to show how Mercy Ships is giving sick patients a new beginning,” said Golden.
NEC 020513