Winter Speaker Series 2025 » Larry Robbins OBE: Sharing Stories from the Africa Mercy Ship

Larry first went to sea as a Cadet Navigating Officer in the British Merchant Navy. After gaining his Second Mates Certificate he then emigrated to New Zealand and was commissioned into the Hydrographic Surveying Service of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).

He enjoyed a career of 26 years, rising to the rank of Commander and the position of Hydrographer RNZN. He was awarded the OBE after HMNZS MONOWAI, under his command, was involved in the largest Search and Rescue operation ever mounted out of New Zealand. In the whole operation, 21 people were rescued in extreme seas from 7 yachts, MONOWAI rescuing 8 people from 3 yachts.

Upon retiring from the navy in 2000 Larry was appointed as CEO of the NZ National Maritime Museum, serving for 7 years. In 2010 he was appointed as a Board member of Mercy Ships NZ, and in 2013 joined the AFRICA MERCY as a Deck Officer, subsequently serving for 5 tours of duty sailing around Africa while the ship's medical staff provided free medical services, including surgery, to people in need.

Larry will talk to us about the ship, it's staff and the wonderful people they met and helped around the coastal settlements of Africa. It's very inspirational.

Last updated 1:36pm on 2 June 2025