 | This article needs additional citations for
verification. (May 2012) |
 Viking I in
Dover's Eastern Docks, 1967
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner | Ionian Sky Ferry, (2007-2008) |
| Operator | Ionian Sky Ferry (2007-2008) |
| Port of registry | Limassol, Cyprus (until 2008) |
| Route | Initially, Service between Southampton and Cherbourg |
| Builder | Kaldnes Mekaniske Verksted A/S, Tønsberg, Norway |
| Launched | 31 January 1964 |
| Completed | 1964 |
| Maiden voyage | 11 May 1964 |
| In service | 1964 |
| Out of service | 2008 |
| Identification | IMO number: 6407652 |
| Fate | Scrapped in 2008 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | RORO car and passenger ferry |
| Tonnage | 5.440 GRT |
| Length | 99.5 m (326 ft 5 in) |
| Beam | 23.19 m (76 ft 1 in) |
| Draught | 4.42 m (14 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion | 2 × Pielstick Lindholmens 12 PC2V 400 |
| Speed | 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h; 21.3 mph) |
| Capacity | 940 passengers, 180 cars |
The MS Viking I was a roll-on roll-off ( RORO) car and passenger ferry and was last owned by Ionian Sky Ferry before being scrapped in 2008. She was originally commissioned by Otto Thoresen of Thoresen Ferries for service between Southampton and Cherbourg across the English Channel.
Revolutionary design
Viking I was designed by naval architect Tage Wandborg in the early 1960s. She was a drive-through car ferry and was a significant and revolutionary design, being one of the first of her kind to operate from the UK across the Western English channel. Viking I was in operation on the Southampton to Cherbourg and Le Havre routes from 1964 for Otto Thoresen's Thoresen Ferries.
References
- Cowsill, Miles; Hendy, John (2007). Remembering the Thoresen Vikings: Townsend Thoresen trend setters. Ramsey, Isle of Man: Ferry Publications. ISBN 978-1871947731.