AN ABERYSTWYTH graduate swapped a comfortable Christmas at home with his family to spend the festive season on a charity ship which brings books to some of the world’s poorest port communities.

Dyfan Graves, 22, spent the festive season volunteering on board the world’s largest floating book fair, Logos Hope.

Originally from Cardiff, Dyfan studied geography in Welsh at Aberystwyth University, graduating last year.

He left Wales in January, for a two-year commitment on board Logos Hope, operated by the christian charity, Operation Mobilisation (OM).

Dyfan now has a crucial role among the onboard community of 400 people, as a Navigational Watch Rating on the vessel.

He receives no pay, but his living costs are covered by sponsorship from his church and individual supporters.

Since he embarked in Tanzania, Logos Hope toured Africa from east to west, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

The 12-day voyage was the longest many of Dyfan’s shipmates have made, and involved him keeping watch on the bridge day and night, as well as performing other deck duties to ensure the smooth running of the vessel.

The community spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Guyana, South America.

The ship’s crew reaches out to the world’s poorest port communities, bringing access to knowledge through a range of books, while also lending practical and medical help, from building libraries to testing eyesight.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online on Wednesday