Rodrigo Souza Fraga has become the first Mercy Ships volunteer to join a Costa Group vessel as part of a cooperation announced last year.

The 38-year-old Spanish national has embarked as a third officer on the 1,400-passenger cruiseship Costa neoRomantica (built 1993) for four months' experience and sea service.

He will report to the ship’s officer on watch as a member of the navigation and watch-keeping bridge staff.