VIKING ADVENTURE TOURS
The Viking 1 is a 54' classic wooden vessel built in 1927 for the commercial fishing industry.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Power - a reliable GM Detroit Diesel V6-71.
Safety - fire extinguishers are placed throughout the boat, as well as an ample supply of lifejackets and lifevests. A first aid kit is always on hand (crew are trained in marine first aid). The Viking 1 was built to withstand some of the harshest weather on the coast and still carries her poles that can be lowered as stabilizers in rougher weather to reduce any rolling action.
Accomadations - include 5 single bunks in the forecastle and 3 single bunks in the salon area. There are additional sleeping bunks in the converted hold area below decks for the captain and crew.
Deck Space - exists on the stern, bow and expansive upper deck.
HISTORY:
No history of The Viking 1 would be complete without a mention of the Eriksen family from Prince Rupert that had it built. The
Viking 1 remained in the family for 3 generations from 1927 until the 1990's. Harold Eriksen had come over from Norway and
worked on the earlier steam driven halibut schooners. Harold had a Japanese boatbuilder, Y. Suehiro, build the Viking 1 for him in Prince Rupert launching it in 1927. They say Prince Rupert was the Halibut Capital of Canada and the Norwegians were king of the halibut fishermen. Harold was a well-respected fisherman and considered one of the very best. Harold fished with a 5-man crew and his son Martin later became one of them. Most of its fishing career was outside of Prince Rupert in the Hecate Straits between the mainland coast and the Queen Charlotte Islands. This area is know as one of the roughest sections of water on our coast and the Viking 1 was always relied upon to bring the crew back safely, being highly regarded as a very good sea boat. The boat also fished in Alaska and the Bering Sea in earlier years. Later Martin took over the boat and continued in the Eriksen tradition of being one of the top boats on the coast for catching halibut. The boat was lengthened after World War 2 by Wahl Boat Works in Prince Rupert a further 8 feet to a total length of 54 feet. Sometime in the 1960's they gave it a larger cabin and moved the galley out of the forecastle to its present location. After Martin, son Robert took over and once more continued to be a top producing boat. Robert also trolled for salmon but halibut was the main fishery. Robert sold the boat in the early 90's to another fisherman but retained the halibut licence. Robert Eriksen is still in the halibut fishing industry and lives in Prince Rupert.
TODAY:
Refitted with the large salon addition midship, a large top deck, the aluminum railings (comply with Transport Canada regulations for carrying passengers) and a recently installed full bathroom with hot shower for your comfort. The Viking 1 is nicely appointed for your boating vacation. Equipped with kayaks, dive compressor, crab traps, prawn traps and a large library of books it makes the ideal mothership vacation vessel. Some of the old charm has been kept and hopefully appreciated.
Ken Lund
Skipper/Owner
Vancouver Island, B.C.
phone: (250) 755-9175
phone: (250) 616-9336 - cell
email: info@vikingadventuretours.com
Return to:
Viking Adventure Tours Home Page