The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort arrived in Puerto Rico on Tuesday to help provide aid after Hurricane Maria devastated much of the island's health care system, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.
The U.S. Navy vessel left its homeport in Norfolk, Va. on Friday with its approximately 800 crew and medical staff. Comfort is not a commissioned naval vessel, but is owned by the Navy and run by mostly Navy medical personnel.
The massive floating hospital can provide much needed help to patients who have been unable receive certain care in Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria hit the island last month, destroying the ability of many hospitals to operate effectively.
Comfort has the ability to provide most medical services imaginable to patients, including dialysis and x-rays, and has a dental suite and pharmacy. The ship will remain in Puerto Rico for 30 days or until ordered home. Additional supplies can be brought to the ship by sea or air if need to provide aid longer.
Comfort will also host a meeting with local leaders on providing aid and the recovery effort.
