At the end of this expedition, two of the famous Easter Island statues, that had transported back to Europe on board the Mercator, were donated by the Chilean government, one to France and one to Belgium.

In 1936 Mercator had the honor of bringing home the remains of the Flemish missionary and apostle of the lepers, Pater Damiaan, from Molokai island in Hawaii.

She sailed to Rio de Janeiro and afterward arrived in Boma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

After her release from naval duties, the ship went back to Belgium to receive extensive maintenance work.

In 1964, Mercator became a floating museum in Ostend, moored in front of the City Hall, and since 1996 has been given National Heritage status.