Mercy Departure Sailors stand by to participate in sea and anchor detail before the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy departs from Naval Base San Diego, March 23, 2020. The Mercy is deploying in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts, and will serve as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients admitted to shore-based hospitals. This allows shore base hospitals to focus their efforts on COVID-19 cases. SHARE IMAGE: Download Image: Full Size (0.18 MB) Tags: Navy Photo By: Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tim Heaps VIRIN: 200323-N-ZQ216-1013.JPG Photo Gallery