Kevin Boyce, acting director of the Logos II, an international charity book-ship run by Christian missionaries, announced yesterday that there are plans to establish an Operation Mobilisation mission office in Jamaica. “Operation Mobilisation is the organisation that Logos II belongs to,” said Boyce speaking at a welcome ceremony for the ship, here on its biennial visit.

“We are in over 100 countries around the world and the ship is just one part of the organisation’s mission.”

He said, too, that the new office would facilitate greater missionary work across the island.

As announced in 2004, the last time the ship docked in Jamaica, Boyce said Logos II will be replaced by a new vessel three times its size.

“We are pleased to say that the next time we visit the Caribbean it will be with the Logos Hope,” he said, urging Jamaicans to become crew members of the new vessel. Presently, four Jamaicans are listed among the 200-member crew from 47 nationalities.

Robert Pickersgill, who represented the prime minister at the ceremony, lauded the initiative calling it a, ” mini-United Nations on the sea.” Prime Minister PJ Patterson is off the island attending a Caricom inter-sessional meeting in Trinidad, and Pickersgill has charge of the government in his absence.

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends… they are the wisest of counselors and most patient of teachers,” said Pickersgill.

More organisations, he said, should subscribe to the “humanity-based services” provided by the ship.

“Anybody can serve. You don’t need a college degree. You only need a heart of grace and a soul generated by love. This is what is being exhibited by the young people on this ship.”

The 17-year-old ship is docked at the Rockfort Cement Company Pier until March 12. It will not visit Montego Bay on the current run because of expansion work being carried out at the pier in that city.

After leaving Jamaica, the ship will continue its Caribbean tour to the Bahamas and Dominica.