HELPR-1 in action

What is HELPR and why is M.V. HELPR-1 so special?

HELPR-1 is 34-meters in length, has a range of over 2,500km, and a cruising speed of 10 knots. A shallow draft of 2.4 meters allows access to lagoons and inlets to easily stage responses in remote and hard-to-reach areas. She is self-sufficient for up to 3 weeks at a time.

Vanuatu is spread across more than 80 islands, making access and logistics extremely challenging to reach remote communities with essential support and services.

Led by renowned local surgeon and emergency physician Dr. Basil Leodoro, HELPR-1’s Director of Operations, the team ensures that communities receive vital vaccinations at every village they visit.

Our logistics coordinator, Nick Watt, describes the impact that HELPR-1 has had during the Vanuatu twin cyclones response.

HELPR-1 has its own desalination plant onboard, capable of producing 5,000 litres of fresh water per day, and carrying an additional 24,000 litres onboard. This proved lifesaving during the twin cyclones event in March 2023.

The ‘Explorer’ tender is carried on the back of HELPR-1, with passengers able to board safely direct from the vessel. It is capable of shore landings for easy off-loading of cargo.