MS Viking I

Not to be confused with Viking 1, MS Viking 1, or Empire Ship Viking I.

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.

Viking I in Dover's Eastern Docks, 1967
History
Name	Viking I Viking Victory Neptunia Media II Media V Edi
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

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.