Ship Background

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

With people in many ports waiting for hours just to walk up an OM ships’ gangway, the need for a vessel with a greater visitor capacity was obvious. As early as 2001, discussions began about the possibility of replacing Logos II with a larger ship, and in 2002 a small project team was formed to develop this idea. Pouring over hundreds of sets of plans and drawings they came across the Faroese car ferry Norröna I.

However, the journey from plans to purchase was not all smooth sailing! After visiting the ship in August 2003 the project team dismissed her as unsuitable for the ministry vision. Despite this, Norröna I’s deck layout drawings became a model by which they evaluated other ships, and when she was put back on the market in January 2004, further enquiries were made. Several inspections were carried out, with one group sailing from the Faroe Islands to Denmark and noting her good capacity for rough weather, and the quality of her engine room machinery.

While the ferry’s owners, Smyril Line, pressed for a decision, the team asked for a day to seek God’s approval about the purchase. Understandably surprised, the company agreed to this unusual request. On March 29th 2004, the 600-strong OM Ships team, plus friends and supporters from all over the world, spent a day in prayer. By the end of the time there was an overwhelming consensus: this was God’s ship and would be used by Him to bless the nations through OM’s work! A purchase agreement was signed in Germany and faxed to Torshavn, Faroe Islands. This became official on April 19th, when the ownership was transferred to OM Ships International.

Registered as Logos Hope, the new name connects the ship to the organisation’s roots in the “Word” – a life-bringing, literature distribution project – while powerfully restating the ministry’s aim to make a real difference in the lives of people all around the world.