News

Actions

World’s largest Viking ship stuck in Michigan due to costs

Posted at 4:01 AM, Jul 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-19 04:25:28-04

BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) — A Norwegian ship described as the largest Viking vessel in the world remains docked in Bay City after a four-day festival.

The Bay City Times says the ship, known as the Draken, had planned to sail the Great Lakes after the festival, which ended Sunday. But the unexpected cost of hiring a pilot has put that plan in jeopardy.

The U.S. Coast Guard said federal law requires a privately hired pilot on the foreign vessel. The cost is $400 an hour. The Draken had planned to go to Chicago, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota, but can’t afford it.

Shirley Roberts, executive director of BaySail in Bay City, didn’t know if the Draken would be offering deck tours. Another ship, the El Galeon, is offering tours.